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1^ n K F A T O Pv Y K E M A R K. 



This volume is printed by order of the Ortiiodox Memorial 
Church, in Georgetown, Mass., for presentation to their benefactor, 
Mr. George Peabody. It is expected therefore, that the reader 
into whose hands it m ly fall, will remember that it ib intended 
for private circulation only. 



Cfet f eaktrn "lInnoTi:il Cburcb/' 

IX GEORGETOWN, ilASS. 




HE '^ Orthodox CougTcgational Church," was, 
originally, a part of the Congregational Churcli 

in Georgetown, under the pastoral care of the 

Rev. Cliarles Beecher. 

Eighty-live meml)crs, diftering from their pastor 
on certain p(jints of Religious Ijclief, were, at tlieir own 
re<iuest, dismissed from that communion, and, on January 
IT, 1804, were hy Council, organized as tlie Ortliodox- 
Congregational-Church, in Georgetown. 

The exercises of their organization took place in a small 
cliapel owned l)y the '• Ladies'-l^enevolent Society;" and, 
althoiigli very inadecpiately acconnnodatiMl, tliey continued 
to worshi}) llu're for nearly two years, witli no reasonahle 
expectations of a more suitalde phiee, 

III the Sunnner of l^'io, a sistei- of Mf. (Jeoiiic I'ealtody, 
lor many years a i-esident of tlir town, and formerly a 
nienihei' of the same eliiircji, was \isitiiiL:" liei' old Imme ; 
and, l)eing in entire sympalliy with the little Iciiid, who 
V)y separating themselves, h:nl i-elin([iiislied all lights and 
pro)»erty in theii- ancient iionsc of worshij> — she suggested 
to hei- brother the huilding of the " Menioiial Chnicli ;" to 
1)0 C0118ecrati'(l to th<' nn-nioi-N of tln-ii- mother, who was a 



O THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

native of the town, and to be given for the use of the new 
church and society. Mr. Peabody promptly and cheerfully 
responded to the proposal, desiring his sister to secure at 
once a suitable site. 

It was thought best, however, to await Mr. Peabody's 
expected visit ; and, on his arrival in May, 1866, he himself 
selected the lot, on which the Church stands, as being the 
most desirable of any, which were then available. 

He also made all the arrangements for building, — 
engaged the architect, contracted with the superintendent 
and gave directions in many of the details ; naming George 
J. Tenney, and George Peabody Russell, Ii^squires, a special 
Building Committee. 

The unavoidable absence of Mr. Russell soon devolved 
the entire responsibilities of this appointment upon Mr. 
Tenney, who continued to give his time and his gratuitous 
services to every department, in which they might avail in 
carrying forward, or in perfecting the work. 

On the 19th June, 1866, the ground was broken, and 
nearly three months were occupied in excavating, in laying 
the broad and deep foundation, in collecting materials, <fec. 

On the 19th of September, Mr. Peabody being present, 
the corner stone was laid by Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, of 
Groveland, the oldest surviving male relative of Mr. 
Peabody's mother. 

We give here an account of the proceedings as published 
in the Haverhill Gazette of that week. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



INTERESTING CEREMONIES AT GEORGETOWN 



LAYING THE CORNER STONES OF A MEMORIAL CHL'RCH AND 
A FREE LIBRARY BUILDINCJ. 

Tliere were very iiiterostiiii»- oerenioiiies in the town of 
Georgetown, on September li>th, in wliieli nearly the entire 
townsj>eople, and many eitizens of the phiees in the 
immediate neiirhhorhood joined, and felt peculiar interest. 
The occasion was the layinu' of the corner stones of the 
noble Memorial Church and of the free public Library 
Building, to Ije erected for the use of the Georgetown 
people, through the generosity of Mr. George Pea1)ody, the 
London Ijanker, whose name occupies such a ]>romin(Mit 
position in tlic long list of public benefactors. Miidi luoir 
than ordinary interest was attached to the ceremony at the 
site of tlic Lil)rary IJuilding, from tlie fact that its object was 
a secret, until aunouucc(l in the address of Mv. Peal)ody. 

Tliv wcatlii'r of the altcrnoon was far from propitious : 
tbr sky was overcast and frequently there wcie liglit 
showers ; nevertheless the ceremonies were liegiin and 
carried (jut according to the jireviously ai-i-ange<l pro- 
gramme, and tlie lai-ge numljcr (-(uigrcgated remained 
tbrougbniit . Ibniii'.;- tbe exercises luisiness was \t'i-\- 
gent'ially suspended in the {own. 

The exercises were eondii<'le(l under the dirertion oC .Mr. 

Geo. Peabody Russell, of Salem, and i»egan about two 

o'clock, with liie reading of the inllowing aildress by .Mr. 
Peabody : 

MR. l'i:.\Bonv's ADDRESS. 

Ml/ /''ri'iiJs, litlniliihiiifH nf Gforf/rto/nr. — M\- friend lb-. 
SpolVord, a relative and early associate, is about to lav the 



10 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

corner stone of an edifice to be called the " Memorial 
Church." This building is being erected by my sister and 
myself, to the memory of our most excellent mother, and 
to be given for the exclusive use of the Orthodox Con- 
gregational Church in this place. As I shall not be present 
at the dedication, I beg leave now to remark that when 
finished it will be given to that society in such a condition 
and on such terms, as I trust will prove acceptable in every 
respect, and that under the guidance of Him to whom it is 
to be dedicated, not only they, but their successors of many 
generations, may elect such pastors as will strive to promote 
their welfare in this world, and to secure their eternal 
happiness in the world which is to come. 

As I have before stated, this church is for the exclusive 
use of a particular society^but as my mother was born in 
this town, then Rowley, she was much attached to the 
people, and as there are many of her relatives and their 
connexions in the other religious societies, I should not 
feel satisfied without accompanying this gift by another of 
a more general character, in the benefits of which all can 
participate. On another part of these grounds, therefore, 
there is in process of erection, a building, the intended use 
of which is known to but few persons, and which I design 
for a free town Library ; and I shall devote at this time to 
that purpose the sum of $12,000. I have already sent to 
London an order for the purchase of standard and useful 
books, sufficient to form the ground work of the library ; 
and as the building will probably be finished about the 1st 
of January next, the advantages of the institution can be 
made available to the inhabitants soon after that time. I 
shall write a letter of gift to the town of Georgetown, in 
which it is my intention to direct, and suggest some rules 
for its management, and among them that, at a town 
meeting for the acceptance of the gift, the inhabitants shall 
determine that the minister for the time being, of each 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 11 

reli<rioii.s society now existing, or that may liereafter exist, 
sliall always be a manauina' director ; and that there shall 
be added to the number three from each society Ijefore 
mentioned, the re})resentation always to continue the same, 
in order that all may equally enjoy the privileges of the 
institution without regard to religious views. 

On the conclusion of the services at this jdaee, 1 must 
ask you to proceed to the other ]>art of the grounds, wliere 
Mi-. Charles Xorthend, now a resident of Connectieut, will 
lay tlie corner stone of tlie Libraiy Ihiilding. 

At tlu' conclusion of liis remarks, Rev. Mr. Canipliell, of 
Ihadtbrd, read appropi'iate selections from the Scrij)tuies, 
which was followed by a prayer by Rev. Dr. Jh'anum, of 
Danvers. An original liymn liy Mrs. Peabody of Topsfield, 
was then sung to the tune of Arlington, the favoi-ite tune of 
^Ir. Peabody's mother. 

Or. S|»olVoi-d was tlien introduced, and made an ehxjuent 
and interesting ad(h-ess, containing numy reminiscences of 
his early days, when he was an intinuite associate of tlie 
Pcahody family, and much historical infbiinatioii in regard 
to the alVairs of the pai'ish and town. 

DR. SI'ol'Foijn's ADDRESS. 

Mv Fin ENDS : — 

It is with sonic surprise, and much dinidencc. thai I rind 
niyseir in the presence of this gi-eat asscmitly and t-alh^i 
upon In take part in its iiilercstiiig ccicmonics. 

1 ieel an intci'ot here, which no (tthci- phicc or occasion 
woidd excite. In my own iiali\c town, among rehili\rs 
and friends, in \ iew of the sjiot where I graduated, half a 
century ago, from tlie jmhlic sehool, ami where I enjoNcd 
the proudest distinction of mv life, in lieim: ail\ance(| jidm 



12 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

the student's bench, to the teacher's chah', — that chair to 
which I had paid such deference when occupied by my 
predecessors, especially Doctor Joshua Jewett, of Rowley, 
whose recent departure over ninety years of age, we all 
regret, and the Hon. Samuel Adams, a native of this town, 
whose early death we long lamented. In view of that 
old Church, Avhose walls are hallowed by the labors of 
Chandler, and Braman, and Pond, and Prince : and which 
once reverberated with the eloquence of Whiteiield, and 
where for twenty years I sat beneath the droppings of the 
sanctuary. 

I stand here to-day on a well known ground, but now 
surrounded by a new village and a new generation. 
Amidst the graves of my ancestors, and the new made 
monuments of my own generation, preserved apparently, to 
be a living witness of the life and character of her whom 
this Monumental Church is intended to commemorate, and 
her ancestors and family. 

In laying the foundation of a new church edifice, we 
institute no new system of divinity, but feel that we are 
building on the foundations of many generations. That 
this is essentially the same Church which was instituted 
here in 1732, identified by a higher law than those of the 
state of Massachusetts. You my friends, have made a 
great sacrifice in leaving those hallowed seats, and the 
records of the past; yet in the light of this day, you may 
well forgive and forget those animosities which are almost 
inseparable from the rupture of ancient ties, and henceforth 
only provoke each other to love and good works. And may 
those old oaken timbers, erected by our honored fathers, 
ninety-seven years ago and still capable of outlasting 
hundreds of new erections, preserved by pious care, still 
withstand tlie blasts of winter, and the corroding tooth of 
time, for another century. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. l-> 

But niiiidt'iil of the Inisiness which lias Itnmiilit iis 
together, — that of layiiiLT the corner stone of a Memorial 
Church, 1 wuukl first congratnlate these friends at my side, 
wliose design it is thus to commemorate the best of mothers, 
in connection with an act of sacred beneficence, on the 
ample means with which Heaven has ])lest them, and that 
they descended from a mother wlio was wortliy of such a 
monument. 

And you luy friends of tliis cliurcli and society, that this 
is not d('si«ru(Ml to be a useless pile of stone and brick, but 
an open temple lor sacred worship, and that the wealth 
here bestowed, is not the fortuitous product of a lucky 
s|>eculation or accidental <liscovery of hidden treasure, but 
the slow accunuilation of long years of industry and 
integrity, in that commerce which has ]»een a blessing to 
two continents, by one who descended from an honored 
ancestry in your own town, who were the first settlers here. 

It is my own descent from this common ancestry, and 
jK'rliaps my eudeavoi-s through fifty years to compile tbeii- 
histoj-y from old Bibles and fast decaying records, and a 
now departed generation, wbidi has jmocuiimI nie the honor 
of this occasion. I oidy re'ii'et my inal»ility to do it justice. 

1 shall leave most ot" the recdids iind dates to the 
trustworthy ki'cpiug of the coniei' stone luid the enduring 
talilet wliicb will grace these walls, whiii' I I.eiii- a willing 
testimony concei'iiing four geneiations, lo whose worth 1 
have i»eeii a livinLf witness, for scNcnty years! 

.Iiidith SpoifMi-tl w:is the diiii'jhfcr nf ('(.I. haniel SpolVoi'd 
and his fii-st wife .Indilh Kollcnshce. 

lb' was :in earnest palriol iA' ihc re\<>hition, — his name 
often aj»j»ears in that comieet ion on the t<twn recnids. 



14 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

He was a member of the convention which formed the 
constitution of Massachusetts, in 1780. He was Col. of the 
Eegiment and marched with it to Cambridge on the alarm 
of Lexington. He was a deacon of the church, and 
occupied the deacon's seat, in front of the pulpit, at my 
earliest recollection. 

His wife Judith FoUensbee was a woman of talent and 
energy ; they left three sons and four daughters, who all 
married and settled in this town. Moody Spofford, Esq. 
the eldest son was a man of genius ; he was for several 
years a member of the Legislature, was an inventor of the 
arch which first bridged Merrimack River, and built the 
first bridges at Haverhill and Rocks Village. Dr. Amos 
Spofford, the third son, was the first physician here and was 
eminent in his profession, practiced many years, and was 
one of the original members of the Mass. Medical Society. 
Judith the eldest daughter married Jeremiah Dodge, a 
native of Wenham, and resident from early life upon the 
southern shores of yonder lake, and the fiifst fruits of the 
marriage was the birth of that excellent woman, whose 
worth this Memorial Church is intended to commemorate. 
Mr. Dodge was a farmer and mason, and wrought at the 
building of the County Bridge^ the old stone bridge which 
has crossed the River at Ipswich since 1764, and also on 
Haverhill Bridge. Mr. Dodge settled with his wife Judith 
Spofford in the old mansion where I well remember them, 
— removed to Danvers, in 1796, and from there to Tlietford, 
Yt., in 1802, where they lived and prospered to old age. 
Their descendants are among the highly respected families 
of the Green Mountain State. 

. And here I must be allowed to tax the modesty of our 
friend by alluding to a circumstance quite characteristic of 
the man, which occurred during a late visit to his aunt and 
cousins at Thetford ; he left as a memorial of his visit, 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHL'RCH. 15 

five thousand dollars fuv a library, for the furtlier improve- 
ment of the /line fio/iiliea of I)<»il<i>x. settled there, and 
tlieir foi-tunate neicrhbors. 

My acquaintance with ^Ir. Pealxjdy did not t)riginate in 
liis modern world wide re})ntation, for thouuh he is by no 
means young, 1 literally knew him in his mother's arms. 
Tlie mother he so highly honors, was my own mother's 
favorite niece ; she often resided in my father's family, and 
her kind and sisterly helj) rocked the cradle in my earliest 
infancy, and it was among the cherished recollections of 
tlie family, that the first visit of Mr. lVal)ody to her, was 
at my father's house. 

Th(jnuis Peabfjdy's birth and chihlhood was in llaNcrbill. 
He enlisted as a soldier in the revolution, was at West 
Point on the Hudson at the time of the treason of Arnold, 
and the executi(jn of Andre. Thomas Peabody and dudith 
Dixlge were married in 1781), aiul lesided for a time in 
p]ast Haverhill, where tlie two eldest cliildi-en weic born. 
Back to this period my j)ersonal recollections extend. He 
was tall, (hirk complexioned and se(late. She was of 
mediinn size, delicate and fail-. They renioxcd to Danvei-s 
in 1T1>4. At I>an\-ers 1 often visited the lamily, and wtdl 
renu'ml»ei- the joyous greetings of the little oiu's, upon the 
father's i-etiini \'vn\\\ his daily a\ocalioiis. And 1 can say 
in trutii, that during my long intei'coui'se w ith society, in 
their most sacied private relations, no lairei- pictiiie of what 
Heaven int<'nded in instituting the landly ciicle, has heen 
inipi'iiited on my nifUKdv. 

Mr. Pealiody died suddenly in 1 >^ 11 . I>y an indbiliinale 
accident. I was there in Isli', in her early widowhood, 
and deeply sympat hi/.eil with the stricken family, it was 
an occasion deeply impressed (►n my nnnd, — especially do 
1 rememliei- at lliat time the eldest sister, who (lied a lew 



16 THE PEABQDY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

years later, greatly beloved and lamented. David and 
Achsali Peabody, the elder brother and sister of these our 
friends, may well be remembered this day. They were 
among the dearest associates of my childhood, and rich 
blessings to fond and doting parents. Little did I think 
that was to be my last interview, with a yomig lady of my 
earliest acquaintance, and of whom I still retain the most 
pleasing recollections. 

At that time our friend was at the South, engaged in that 
honorable business which has given him wealth and fame. 
Though still a minor, his mother and sisters were fond of 
recounting his acts of watchful care and kindness for their 
welfare. 

In 1814, deprived of a husband and father's protection, she 
with her little ones took refuge from the alarm of war, in 
the near vicinity of Salem, in the seclusion of my father's 
house, in this town. And some years after I had the 
pleasure of renewing my intimacy with tliem in Bradford, 
where the same watchful care to which I have so often 
alluded, had provided the family with a commodious 
dwelling, and the younger members ^yith the best ad- 
vantages of academical education. 

Of our kind and generous fripnd J forbear further to 
speak at this time, but leave it to an abler tongue and later 
time to do him justice, when these stones and bricks shall 
have been adjusted by wise heads and skilful hands, and 
the lofty walls which these deep and broad foundations 
fore-shadow, shall have assumed their place and form, 
which, with the blessing of Heaven, they are to occupy for 
revolving centuries. 

Of the master mason, Mr. Carleton, permit me to say 
he is the right man in the right place. I first met him 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 17 

twenty-eight years ago in the legislature of Massachusetts, 
where among other acts and doings we voted to pledge the 
credit of the State for four millions of dollars to l)uild the 
Western Railroad, against a strung party opj)Ositi()n. We 
were accused of mortgaging all the farms in the tftate, and 
heard many predictions, that they would have to be sold to 
pay the debt. But the State has prospered, the farms are 
safe, tlie debt is paid, and the stock of the road worth fifty 
jx;r cent, above par. May the business in wliich he is 
now engaged \yc as helpful t<> tlie cause of religion and 
morality, as that road is to tlie ))usiness of the State. 

A few words may here l)e indulged upon the liistory of 
the spot and its surroundings. 

The parish, varying somewhat from the present bound- 
aries of the town, contained in 1803, 480 inhaltitants. 
The roads round this scpiare were less than two rods wide. 
There was no building on the east side of this road, Itetwcen 
an old house whicli stood a little east of the town pinnp, 
and the dweUing Ikkisc of the Kev. Chailes ImccIkt. 
Tliore was i»ut one house on the south side of tlu' Hill road 
in 171>7, between the old clun-cli. mikI Mr. Daniel Thiirstin's, 
afterwards Mr. I5r;miaii's. (.ji tlir hill. 

'i'liis triauLdr. on which we aic asscnihlcil, was a 
blueberry swanij) for our huntlred and twenty years after 
our ancestors dwelt on iIk' oM town faiiii on the hill. 
The swamp road on which your new Lilnary nuihlin-j- is 
going up, is of modeiii date, — within the nienioiv of ni\ 
parents. The first Imihbng oii this scjiiaie was an old 
house remove<l from the east part of the town, in two 
j)arts, by Sanniel Nc.iiis. My lathei- was the carjientei-, 
and I recollect his enirineeiing the n'nio\al, ahout 17'>-. 
It was j»laced on the N(uth-east coiner where Mi-. I-llliot's 
liouse nf>w stands, and the old one now .stands on the 



18 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

North-west corner of the old Brocklebank farm, lately 
owned by Joseph Little. 

That house and this square was at one time owned by 
Enos Hardy, who with a number of men assembled on a 
time to clear up the swamp, but disliking the labor, and 
being as was said, in a merry mood, and with plenty of 
liquor, they took the easier way of setting it on fire. The 
dry leaves burnt freely, the peat took fire and burnt for 
several weeks a foot deep or more, filling the country with 
dense smoke. I recollect that the people came around 
"the corner" to meeting, tlie "swamp" road being 
impassable. Much of the fine grass plat which you have 
lately covered with earth and gravel was in 1813 a skating 
pond, on which my one liundred and twenty scholars, whose 
names and ages I still retain, played their merriest gambols. 

Another glance at the former surroundings, of this spot. 
We of a former generation looked on a spire of that old 
church, of much higher elevation than at present. The old 
weathercock held his perch one hundred and two feet from 
the ground, for nearly half a century. To us children, his 
unknown origin, and Heavenward elevation was closely 
associated with him who crowed on the morning of the 
crucifixion, if indeed he was not the very same, he was 
nearly fifty feet higher than any human footstep had ever 
ascended. The spire having been all finished in the tower 
below, and pushed upward like a great telescope, by an 
appropriate apparatus of derricks and pulleys, and ropes. 
My father was with others in the belfry to adjust the 
timbers, and secure the spire which was sent up beautifully 
into the upper air, in the presence of thousands of admiring 
spectators. My mother, then a girl of sixteen, was among 
them. These are my witnesses. 

On the 7th of June, 1797, at the ordination of Mr. Braman, 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 19 

I was present. As two ministers in tliose days lasted a 
century, no wonder that an ordination was a great occasion. 
The house and grounds around it was crowded from early 
morning to sunset oi' a long summer's day. Tlie services 
closL'd as the sun sent his level rays, through the western 
windows. The I'atted calf was killed, and unbounded 
liospitahty extended tlu'ough tlie Parisli. 

Ilut 1 forltcar any furthi'r reminiscences, and now and 
here <»n this I'.ith <lay of Scpteniiicr, 1866, we deposit within 
this corner stone, these sacred memorials of the i)ast and 
the j>resent. A liistory of the town, a record of our 
families, a gazetteer of the State, and divers sermons and 
|M.'riodieals, of deep interest, when some future anti([uarian, 
in some distant aiic sliall disturh tlieir long repose. 

I)i-. Sj»olVord tlien phiee<l tlie box in the cavity prej)ared 
Ibr its reception, and the stone was fixed in its proper 
position hy Mr. Charles Carleton of Haverhill, under whose 
8U|)erintend<'nce the l)uildiiigs are being erected, and said : 

Preserve, () consecrated pile, inviolate thy saei-ed trust, 
till tlic fiailci- striietiires which smile along our liusy streets, 
crumble to dust ; till successive generations shall have 
tro<lden these hallowe(l courts : till the spirit of (iod shall 
have b;iiiislic(| \\;ii-s mid li-jiitiiii:- tVoiii llic enith, and 
sulKlucd the licarts of men to hum;in Itrothi'rhood. And if 
in some long <listant time this box sliuU be opened, jind 
these characters legible this innniilc elVoi-t will be tbei-e, to 
testify that (ieorge and .)n«bth Pealiody de\ isi-d ami creeled 
this magnificent clnii-cli for tbe woisbip of (Iod, and as a 
sacred menioi-ial of their sainted in«»tlier. 

At the close ol" these ceiemonies, the assembled jieople 
j)rocee(led to the site of the liiiiaiy building, a lew rods 
distant. Al'tei' a prayer by iu-\. Dr. Tike ol' lvo\\le\. Mr. 



20 THE PEABODY MEMOKIAL CHURCH. 

Charles Northend of Connecticut, a gentleman well known 
for his labors in the cause of education, was introduced, 
and delivered the following admirable address : 

MR. northend' S ADDRESS. 

Ladies and Gents : I deem it no common privilege to 
meet and address you at this time. This day and this 
occasion will be ever memorable in the history of this town 
as the day and the occasion which assigned her a prominent 
position among the favored towns of this ancient and 
honorable Commonwealth, and placed within the easy grasp 
of her citizens, privileges and influences, which wisely 
improved will tend to make her sons and daughters a 
blessing to the communities in which they may find a 
future residence, and an honor to the town in which they 
passed their tutelage. 

We have just witnessed, with profound interest and 
satisfaction, the ceremonial foundation of an Edifice 
designed for the worship of the G-od of the Universe^ — the 
good Father of us all. While its ascending walls and 
towering spire will remind you and those who come after 
you, in all coming time, of duties to the Infinite Creator, 
they will also speak of the goodness and beneficence of 
one whose name is an honor and " tower of strength " 
throughout the civilized world. When the structure shall 
be completed let it be pointed at as a most fitting memorial 
of maternal vforth and filial love, and as it must ever tend 
to embalm the memory of its honored founder in living 
hearts, may it ever speak to the young in emphatic 
language, of filial duties and obligations. 

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is made my duty, and in 
it I feel highly honored, to participate in another ceremony 
which, if it be possible, will increase your admiration of 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHlJRCHi 21 

your Benefactor as it will surely confer upon you new 
privileges and tend t<j your true exaltation as a town. It 
lias ever been a glory of New England that her citizens 
have rec'Dgnized Religion and Learning as handmaids in the 
work of moral progress and elevation. Hence we find, in 
every community, the church and the school co-workers in 
the great cause of human im})rovement, each the giver, 
receiving good to or from the other. In true intelligence 
and virtue consist a nation's richest and purest treasures, 
or in the words of the honored jx)et whose home is on the 
hanks of your beautiful Merrimac : 

The riches of the Commonwealth 

Are free, strong minds and hearts of health ; 

And more to her than gold and grain. 

The cunning hand and cultured brain. 

She heeds no Skeptic's i)uny hands 

While near her school the church^spire stands; 

Xor fears the blinded bigot's rule 

While near the church-spires stands the school. 

That the structure whose corner stone lias just lieeii 
laid may be thronged with uitiHiiirnf as well as (h'vout 
woi-s]iip|K'rs, its founder is wisely providing lor anotliei* 
Kditicc whose foundation we now see. Witliiii its walls 
are to ]>e phice*! the garnered lore of ancient and modern 
times, acc('ssil)le to all, " without money and without 
price." Here may you and your elnhhcn and yoin- 
children's ehihlren down to remotest generations, come 
and leaiMi \s isdom tVom the greatest and purest mimls ; and 
iiap|>y indeeil will it l)e foi* this people if irom these gifts 
and from tiie noble example of the giver they shall learn 
lessons of 

"How to live." 

I»ut, in\ iViends. eit i/.ens of ( leorLidow n, let me reminii 
voii thai this <l;i\ luiiigs t<» //"// //'//• (lnt'nx and m ir (»lili<ja- 



22 THE PEABODY MEMOEIAL CHURCH. 

tions. Most munificently is your generous friend placing 
before you boons of rare worth and importance. While you 
receive them with grateful hearts, do not forget that you 
have a work to do in order that these benefactions may 
result in the desired and designed good. If they are 
rightly received and duly appreciated and improved they 
will make you a wiser, a better , a happier people. As, then, 
these buildings shall rise, side by side, let them awaken in 
your hearts the deepest gratitude to him who bids them 
rise, and at the same time, incite you to redoubled 
diligence in every good word and work. And, especially, 
let me urge parents to impress upon the hearts of their 
children the great lesson taught by your and their 
benefactor, that their highest aim should be so to live that 
the world will be the better for their having lived, — and 
that so they may experience as we are sure he so largely 
experiences, — ''The luxury of doing good. ^^ 

Before closing my remarks, on this interesting occasion, 
I feel impelled to say a few words to the youth before me. 
You, my young friends are living at a most propitious time. 
No other youth, of previous days, have in this town enjoyed 
such advantages as are about to open before you. Let me 
entreat you wisely to improve these privileges and to feel 
that inasmuch as you are more highly favored than those 
who have preceded you, insomuch you will be called upon to 
do more for this community and for the generation in which 
you live. Let all your aims and appreciations be of an 
elevating, ennobling character. Remember that 

The childhood shows the man 
As morning shows the day," — 

and from youth upward strive to he good and to do good. 

May you ever gratefully cherish the memory of George 
Peabody, and hand him down to those who come after you 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. -3 

as of one wlio nobly acted '^ life's part" and scattered 
blessings while he lived. May his life of untiring industry, 
unswerving integrity and unexampled prosperity incite you 
to patient and zealous eftbrt, and should success attend you, 
do not forget '' the debt you owe to tliose who come after 
you." So live, my young friends, tliat 

"Each to-morrow Hiid yon fMrtluT tlian 1()-<l:iy,"' — 

farther in all that is good and manly. 

In the l)right morning of early manhood go Ibrtli with 
well furnished minds and earnest hearts, and clieerfully 
engage in the great work of Life witli a tidclity and an 
energy that will make success sure : — and should other 
])eople and other lands share and reward your labors and, 
for princely deeds of yours enroll youi- names higli among 
those of the h<jnored and the good, — rememl)er the exam)»le 
so beautifully set l>efore you tliis day, and as life's 
descending sun nears tlir' e\-ening liorizon. bring some of 
the golden slieaves of your own reaping and consecrate 
them to tlie menioiy of tbe pai-ents who bore you, and to 
the im|)rovement of tlic land of your cbildliood. And so 
will your sun go Lrnitly down gilding tbe whole boi-izon 
witli gorgeous sjdendor, and causing an ever-bi'iglitening 
halo of glory to encircle your names. 

Witliout longer detaining you. Ladies and Clentlemen, 1 
will now proe«'ed to perform tbe duties so kindly assigned 
me, and place, in its |)ropfi- position, tbis (•(uncr stone of 
*' The Peal)()<ly Free liiiirary, of ( leoigctown." May tbe 
structure to wbieli it is to be a part, pi-ove botb an 
ornament and a lastiiiL'' good to tbis pleasant town ; 
elevating you to a liiLfhei- and pinci- intellectual an<l moral 
atmosj)here, — ami inij»artin'^ lo your sons ami dan'_ibtei-s 
such lessons as will stinudate and streUL^tlien tlieni •' 'I'o act 



24 THE PEABODY MEMOEIAL CHURCH. 

well their parts in life." To this end may you ever 
seek the guidance of " Him who spoke as never man 
spoke," and be " filled with the knowledge of His will in all 
wisdom and spiritual understanding." And then may this 
edifice prove an ever perpetuating good to you and your 
ancestors ; — an ever-living and fragrant memento of your 
princely Benefactor. 



At the close of his Address, Mr. Northend placed a box 
in the corner-stone, and invoked a blessing upon the 
structure. The box contained copies of various town 
documents, sermons, religious reports and publications, 
agricultural pamphlets and public journals. 

The exercises were concluded by singing " Old Hundred." 

The buildings are situated in the centre of the town, the 
church being on the main thoroughfare and just beyond the 
home of the sister of Mr. Peabody. 



From this time, the work of building went gradually, but 
steadily, onward ; intermitting only during the winter 
months. 

The house was finished in December, 1867. The grounds 
having previously been very tastefully laid out and planted 
with trees. 

The design of the church was furnished by Messrs. 
Bryant and Oilman, of Boston. 



THE PEABODY ME:M0RIAL CHURCH. lio 

Too much credit cannot be awarded to the skilUul and 
efficient superintendent, Mr. Charles Carleton of Haverhill. 
Always at his post, in seasonable, or in w/jseasonable hours, 
he shrunk from no task however laborious, in his endeavors 
to ol>ey, to the very letter, Mr. Pealx)dy's injunctions to 
'• build the church so thorouirhly and substantially, that no 
repair should be required for a hundred years.'' 

A good description of the exterior will lie found in our 
account of the Dedication from the Boston Advertiser of 
January '.♦th. 

Tlie interior finish and decorations, with the furniture 
and upholstery, are in accordance with the known simple 
taste of the donor. 

A lieautiful chandelier is inscribed *• Tlie oflering of 
Jeremiah D. Peabody." The Communion-service is - The 
gift of Mrs. Julia Peabody Chandler." 

Tlie Clock, Communion Table, Bibles, Hymn-books. A:c.. 
were prosonted by several of the nephews of Mr. Peabody. 

The choir have l>eeii supplied with llymn and Tunc 
BiK)ks, and a fine Cabinet-Organ has l»een placed in the 
church for the u.se of the Sabbath-School, and for evening 
semces, l>y the lil>erality of Messrs. George J. Tenney and 
son. 



26 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



ORDER OF EXERCISES, 



AT THE 

DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL CHURCH, 



January Sth, 1868. 



VOLUNTARY. 



CHANT. 



INVOCATION. 
Rey. James McCollum. 



READING OF THE SCRIPTURES. 
Rev. W. M. Barbour. 



MEMORIAL HYMN. (As originally written,) 
By J. G-. Whittier. 
, Rev. Geo. W. Campbell. 

Thou dwellest not, O Lord of all ! 

In temples which Thy children raise ; 
Our work to Thine is mean and small, 

And brief to Thy eternal days. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 27 

Forgive the weakness and the pride, 
If marred thcrel)y our gift may be ; 
For love, at least, has sanctilied 
The altar which we rear to Thee. 

The heart and not the hand has wrought 

From sunken base to tower above ; 
The image of a tender thought. 

The memor}' of a deathless love. 

Though here should never sound of speech 

Or organ anthem rise or fall. 
Its stones would pious lessons teach, 

Its shade in benedictions fall. 

Here should the dove of peace be found. 

And blessings free as dew-fall given, 
Xor strife profane, nor hatred wound 

The mingled loves of earth and heaven. 

Thou who didst soothe with dying breath 

The dear one watching by Thy cross, 
Forgetful of the pains of death 

In sorrow for her mighty loss ! 

In memory of her sacred claim, 

() Mary's Son, our ollering take, 
And make it worthy of Thy name, 

And bless it for a mother's sake ! 



SKIJMON. 
Rev. M. r. Ukaman, D. D. 



Rev. .I(.ii\ Tiki:. D. I>. 



28 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

DEDICATION ANTHEM. 



CONCLUDING PRAYER 



Rev. L. Withington, D. D. 



CHORUS. 



BENEDICITON. 



:o:- 



[From the Boston Daily Advertiser, January 9, 1868.] 

GEORGETOWN. 



Dedication of the Peabody Memorial Church. 



The beautiful Church in Georgetown, erected by Mr. 
George Peabody as a memorial of his mother, was dedicated 
yesterday forenoon. The interest felt in the occasion by 
the citizens of the surrounding towns, and the bright 
weather of a mild winter's day, brought together a much 
larger number of people than could gain admission to the 
edifice, and when the hour for beginning the services 
arrived, many disappointed persons remained outside. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL ( HCHCH. 2V» 

The exercises bou-an at lialf-past 1<> o'clock, with a 
vohmtaiT on the oruan, at wliich ^[r. Willcox of Boston 
presided. A chant liy tlic r\unv of the cluirch followtMl, 
after which prayer was oflered hy Rev. James McColhim of 
Medford. Mr. George Pcabody Russell of Salem then 
read tlie following: letter from Mr. Peahody : — 

To fill' ini'iiiUr^ nf th,' ()rf/t'nl'>,c <'nit<irr<ii(ti<>nal ('Ino'i-h and 
Society in G^fon/cfoiC/i, EnHt'.r Cmniti/^ JI(isi< : — 

In accordant* with my ])urpose and my ])romise when 
we laid the corner-stone of the Memorial Cluirch in Sept., 
1SH>), 1 now iidih-fss you, 

1 then said, that on the Ibundation on which we stood I 
should cause to he erected a church e(lilice, the use of 
which on cei-tain conditions, tliat I heliexcil would he 
satisfactory. wouM Ite Li"i\en to you ;in<l youi- successors 
foreN'ei'. 

1 could not remain with you to see the lunldinu" 
coiuplctcd. hut my si>lei'. who has heeii my faithful 
coadjutor in cari'\'in'_i' out m\' ii)tentiou>, lias jusi com- 
municated the ;e_[ree;dilc int (d 1 i'j'encc thai it is now m-ai'ly 
linishcil. ;iud in ;i manner highly credii;dilc |o :dl w lio li;i\e 
hiid ;i >li;ire ill its ci-i'ciioii. And 1 a\ail myscdf of iliis 
o|»poi-|uiiity to express llic tiuniks of niyscH" ;iiid my sistci" 
to :ill those whose skill and l;iiior ha\'e comrilmleil lo tliis 
h:i|tp\ roidt. 

In the huililiii'j- ol the Cliurch wc li;i<l :i twofold ohjcci : 
first, its consccrali(Ui to ihc incmoi'y of our hc|o\cd nioihcr, 
and second its dcdicntion in ilic w(»i-shipor Almi-^lily <!od, 
in its simple purity, nccoi'dluu- to tlic fls aii-elic;d fjiih, as 
acknow](.'(lired and :icccp|cd h\ our dc;ii' inolhcr, iiiid ;is 
n^COJJIiized 1»\ the t)rllindo\ ('Mii'jrc^-niional Cliiiridies ol 
New Knulaiid. 



30 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

On the completion of the building its use will be legally 
conveyed to you and your successors, in trust, subject to 
the following conditions : 

First. It shall be always called " The Memorial Church," 
and known as such, and it is our desire and hope that the 
memory of our mother, thus associated, may be perpetuated 
as long as the structure shall stand. 

Second. It must be devoted to religious and strictly 
moral purposes only, excluding forever all lectures, dis- 
cussions, or controversies on political or other subjects of 
whatever nature inconsistent with its object as the House of 
God, and a memorial of the dead — and I trust that the 
principles therefrom promulgated will be those of universal 
benevolence, and of genuine Christian forbearance and 
charity. 

Third. The person selected for your minister must be 
one, who in every respect conforms to the discipline, 
principles and faith of the Orthodox Congregational 
Churches before mentioned, and shall cordially accept of 
the creed of this Church. 

Fourth. The tablets commemorative of our mother and 
of your former pastor, the late Rev. Isaac Braman, must be 
carefully preserved and the inscriptions kept legible. 

The building and everything appertaining to the premises 
must also be kept in perfect order and repair forever. 

It now remains for you to dedicate it to the service of 
that God who, I trust, will receive the homage of countless 
generations of your posterity. 

I am, with great regard and esteem. 

Your humble servant, 

George Peabody. 

London, Oct. 18, 186T. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 31 

Rev. W. M. BarVfOur of South Danvcrs read selections 
from Scripture, cuutaining iujuiutiuiis relative to the honor 
due from children to parents, setting forth the priceless 
value of tlie virtuous woman, lionorinu: the memory of just 
men, and giving an account of the l»uildin«>" of Solomon's 
temple. 

A liymn, written for the occasion l)y Mr. John O. 
Whittier, was then read hy Rev. George W. Campbell of 
Bradford, and sunir hy the choir. 

The Sermon was delivered l)y Rev. ^l. P. Braman, D. D., 
of Danvcrs, who took for his text the l<)tli verse of the 4th 
cliapter of Luke : — 

"And lie came to Xazareth, where he had heen hrouirht 
up : and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on 
tlu' Sal)hatli (hiy, and stcjod ii]) for to read." 

And tht- '2')th \erse of the 10th cluipter of Ilelirews: — 

*• Not forsaking tlie asseml)ling of ourselves together, as 
tlie manner of some is ; Inii exliorting one anotlier : and 
so much the more, as ye see the day a])))i'oa«"hing." 

Tin,' main topic ol" tin* dis(;ou!"se was the declension in tlie 
attendance upon leligious worship since the days of the 
Pilgrim Patiiers. The sjx'iiker said it could not he expected 
that the original settlers, tiie(| \t\ j.eix'eutjon and siilVei-iug, 
would transmit to their posterity all their hei-oic \irtues. 
The children of the i*iniians, like all other childieu, were 
born without the spiiit, and it could only ho conniiunicated 
to them hy di\iiie iiilhu*nci'. The declension in llie 
attendance upon divine sr'rvices h<'g;in as eaily as hi:!."), 
when it hecanie so markecl as to lead t(; an enactment 
requiring atten«lance, under a peiialt\. 



6'Z THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Some of the reasons which have contributed to the 
prevailing defection in religious worship, even in Nevr 
England, were given by the speaker. Among these was 
the growing disposition to dispense with the outward forms 
of worsliip — a disposition akin to that which inclines to do 
away with ceremony in social intercourse, and arising from 
the democratic tendencies of the times — not using the word 
"democratic" in a political sense. This tendency had 
gone so far that it seemed as if there was but one step more 
to be taken to confine the exercise of piety to the internal 
disposition of the mind. 

Another reason for the declension was that the social 
longings of the people are satisfied in other ways. 
Formerly the seventh day was not only a season of worship, 
but of social intercourse — a time for what we now call a 
" re-union." Now, in compact settlements, the frequent 
meetings of six days render less necessary the intercourse 
of the seventh. Attendance in sparse communities was 
still more general than in those thickly settled, the people 
coming together to refresh the humanity of their natures, 
after a week of seclusion from society. 

Other causes of the degeneracy were the multiplication 
of occasions of public speaking and reading — once almost 
exclusively confined to the pulpit and to the halls of 
legislative debate ; the absorption of intellectual activity by 
the multiplication of books ; the improvement of religious 
publications, and the great increase of popular amusements. 

The speaker said that an undue alarm was sometimes 
excited by a comparison of the non-attendance of the 
present day with the rigid observance of former times ; but 
the constant attendance of the ancient times was too often 
accompanied by a reprehensible levity. In the town of 
Kowley it was not unusual for the throng of worshippers to 



THE PEABUDY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 33 

go from the house of prayer to the " house of flip," where 
they indulged in '' horse laughs '' at passages in the 
sermon, and kept up carousing until midnight. We should 
remember, with their crowded houses of worship, the 
ensuing assemblies of the evening, with the ridicule of the 
sermon, the tripping of lively feet, and the flow of the 
intoxicating cup. That Rowley aflbrded a fair specimen 
of the conduct of the worshippers of other towns, was 
confirmed by the writings of Jonathan Edwards, who wrote 
that in Northampton the Sabbath evenings were chosen for 
frolics, notwithstanding four-fifths of its people regularly 
attended worship. These two towns did not fall below the 
general standard. 

Though it did not come within the design of his discourse 
to point out the remedies for the neglect of public worship, 
the preacher named as among the most important, the 
increased efficiency of the pulpit, and a clear and faithful 
presentation of the doctrines of Christianity — the Gospel as 
it came from Rowley in Old England to Rowley in Xew 
England about two centuries ago, and whicli crowds in 
Palestine heard from its Autlior. It was for the ineidcation 
of this Gospel that tliis clnucli was erected, — and those 
wlio heard the remarks of Mr. Pealjody at the hiving of 
the C(jrner-stone must remember the d<'ep sincerity (»f his 
declarati(Ui to tliis eftect. The structure was enilileinaiic of 
his sjjlid character — it was a Itounty extendinLi' lieynnd the 
bounds of t'Milb ;i!i(l time. 

In com lusion, Mr. Braman spoke warmly of the gener- 
osity of Mr. PealMxly, and of the zealous and untiring 
efforts with which his sister had co-operated with him in 
the erection of tlie church. 

The sermon was (piite old-fashioned in its leuL^th, but 
presented so many interesting features and contained so 



34 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

many veins of quiet humor, that the audience did not tire 
of listening to it. At its close a prayer of consecration 
was offered by E,ev. Dr. John Pike of Rowley. The 
remaining exercises were a dedication anthem, a concluding 
prayer by Rev. Leonard Withington, D. D., of Newbury, a 
chorus by the choir, and a benediction. 

The services occupied about two hours and a half, during 
which the audience (many of whom were compelled to 
remain standing) maintained close attention. The musical 
exercises were conducted by Mr. E. P. Wildes. 

We regret that Dr. Braman felt obliged to decline our 
request for a full cop}^ of his sermon. 

Some important modifications in the plan of the church 
having been made since the laying of the corner-stone, we 
publish the following description of 

THE EDIFICE. 

The church is constructed of face brick, ornamented with 
freestone trimmings. The corners of the tower and of the 
main building are strengthened and adorned withj^iers of 
brick, from which project brick quoins at intervals of four 
feet. The tower is in the centre of the front of the building, 
and projects from the main building. It is twenty feet 
square and one hundred and fourteen feet in height, 
including pinnacles, one at each corner. On its either side 
are vestibules sixteen feet square. The main entrance is 
in the front of the tower, and is fifteen feet in height by 
nine feet in width. Above its transom beam is a handsome 
rose window. There are also two other entrances from the 
sides, which lead into the smaller vestibules. These are 
each twelve feet in height by five in width, and have 
circular windows over the doors. All the doors are of solid 
chestnut with black walnut mouldings. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 35 

111 the third story of the tower is a clock with faces on 
each outer side, made by the Howard Watch and Clock 
Company of Boston. Over this is the belfry, which has 
four large mullioned windows, guarded by open Idinds 
which allow the sound of the bell to escape freely. The 
Ijcll, a large one, was sent by ^[r. Peabody from England, 
and is inscril)ed with the nanu's of himself and his sister. 

Tlie auditorium is seventy-six feet in length l)y fifty in 
width, in the clear, inside. It is about thirty feet in hciglit. 
The chancel in the rear is nine feet by twenty-four, and its 
floor is two feet higher than that of the auditorium. The 
transepts are six feet deep 1»y twenty-six feet wide. The 
walls are of a French gray color. The ceiling, of a l)lue 
color, is enriched and strengthened l»y ribs formed of an 
imitation of cliestnut. wliicli spring IVom corbels upon ilic 
wall. The rilis are ornamented Ijv siiandrels bf open work 
at the })oint where they spring fi-om the wall to support the 
ceiling. The choir gallery is siii)poi'te(l on strong and well 
formcil brackets of chestnut j»rojecting over the entrance to 
the auditorium. It is twenty-four feot in width by seventeen 
in depth. Its front is elal)orately ornamented and presents 
a very line appearance : a niarlde faced clock is inM'rte(l in 
its centre. 

The main building is lighted by nine windows, one in the 
chancel, two in the transe))ts and thr<'e on each side beside 
those in the tiansepts. They aic all of Hock ulass, and 
tliose in llic transepts arc nnicli largci- and more claboi'ately 
ornamented than the others. ()\i'\- the window of the chan- 
cel is the following inscription on a white marble tablet: — 

I)cdicate<l 

to tlir sc|-\icr of .\lmi'jllt\ ( I oi I , 

.Ian. S, 18(J8. 

••Holiness bccomrtb lliin<' lloii-.-. () Lord, foir\rr." 



36 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

On the rear wall to the right of the chancel is a white 
marble tablet bearing this inscription :^ . 

" This house, erected in 1866-67, for the use of the 
Orthodox Congregational Church and Society, is affection- 
ately consecrated by her children, George and Judith, to 
the memory of Mrs. Judith Peabody, who was born in this 
parish, July 25, 1770, and who died June 22, 1830. 

On the rear wall to the left of the chancel is another 
white marble tablet with this inscription : — 

" Eey. Isaac Braman was born in Norton, July 5, 1770. 
He was graduated at Harvard University in 1794, and was 
ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in this town, 
June 7, 1797, which relation he sustained till Dec. 8, 1842, 
and continued senior pastor until his death, Dec. 26, 1858. 

This tablet is reverently inscribed to his memory, by his 
eldest son." 

The interior of the church is finished in chestnut. There 
are ninety-two pews arranged in two double tiers, and four 
pews in each transept, making in all one hundred pews, 
which seat six hundred persons. The centre aisle is five 
feet in width, and the side isles are about three feet and a 
half in width. 



From the number of the young ministers, who had 
supplied the pulpit for the past year, the church unani- 
mously selected the Rev. David Dana Marsh, a member 
of the Theological Seminary at Andover, to be their first 
pastor. 

The society unanimously concurring in this choice, a call 
was immediately extended to him, as follows : 



the peabody memorial church. 3 1 

Rev. D. D. Marsh:— 
Dear Sir : 

The Orthodox Congregational Churcli in Georgetown, 
at a regular meeting held on Tuesday evening, March 
17, 186S, and the Orthodox Congiogatiunal Society in 
Georgetown in concurrence, at a regular meeting held on 
March 25, 1868, trusting in Him whose care has been so 
directly manifest during the l>rief j)criod of their existence 
as a Church and Society, and looking unto Him for esj fecial 
wisdom and guidance, do hereby, without one dissent, 
express their pleasure in your ministrations, and believing 
that you do " speak the things that become sound doctrine " 
do earnestly and unanimously invite you to become tlieir 
pastor And in the ho])e tliat you may be led to such con- 
nection, n<jt forgetting pliysical demands, tlie society has 
voted a salary (jf fifteen liundrcd (^>«l,'''UOj dollars per year, 
on your acceptance. 

Deacon X. B. Hardy. Committee of the Church. 

Richmond Dole, ) ^, ... ^ ., o^'^^„ 
Committee of the Society. 
E. F. Spaulding, ) 

MR. marsh's reply. 

Nelson, X. II.. April nd., 1868. 

To the Orthodox Conijregational (.liun-li, <ni<l Socictii in 
Georgetown : 

The invitation whi<di you have so c(ti(lially cxtciMlcd to 
me, to become your pastor, has l»ccii 1 trust prayerfully 
considered. 

in assuming so grave a r('S))onsibility I am deeply con- 
sciijiis of my weakness and need of divine assistance ; yet 
in deference to the unanimity of your recpicst, h>oking to 
God for guidance, and tru.>ling to Ilim for help, 1 heartily 



38 THE PEABODY MEBIORIAL CHURCH. 

accept your call, with the ho2}e that this connection may 
prove mutually happy, and serve to advance the kingdom of 
Christ. Relying on God for continuance of life, I hereby 
engage to enter into this relation on the completion of my 
Seminary course. 

With sincere desires for your prosperity, 

I am very truly, yours. 

D. D. MARSH. 

The ordination of Mr. Marsh took place on the 16th 

September, 1868. 

We give the preliminiary proceedings from the Essex 
County Mercury of Sept. 23. 

THE COUNCIL. 

The Council convened in the church at ten o'clock, or 
soon after. Eleven churches were represented by pastors 
and delegates, and Rev. M. P. Braman, D. D., was chosen 
moderator, and Rev. Mr. Howard of Groveland, scribe. 
The officers of the church and society came in and took 
front pews. The record of the church vote in favor of 
calling Mr. Marsh was read by Deacon Haskell Perley, and 
and Mr. L. H. Bateman, the clerk, read the record of the 
concurring action of the Society, by which it appeared that 
the salary of the minister was to be 81500 per annum. 
After a little conversation raised by some of the clergymen, 
upon the subject of a vacation,* the candidate read a declar- 
ation of his faith, which would seem, to a common observer^ 
to have been sufficiently explicit for all practical purposes. 



*The Society afterwards voted Mr. Marsh a yearly vacation of four 
weeks. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. •]*:♦ 

But the camlidate came forward, according to custom, and 
was subjected to a most riirid examination and scrutiny tVu- 
nearly or quite two hours, evincing nuich readiness and 
passing the ordeal in a manner that must have been 
eminently satisfactory t«> tlic iii-mcst adherents of the 
Calvin istic faith. 

The ordination exercises l>egan sliortly before half-pasi 
two o'clock, and were jx^rformed in tlic presence of a largo 
audience. An excellent quartette choir opened with a 
voluntary and chant, admirably sung. The scribe an- 
nounced the doings of tlie council, as follows : 

Georgetown, Sept. 10, 1868. 
Pursuant to letters missive from the Orthodox Con- 
gregati«jnal Church in this place, an Ecclesiastical Council 
convened in the Memorial Cliurch to consider tlie ex- 
}jediency of ordaining Mr. I>. D. Marsli to the work of the 
gos|)ol ministry, and, if deemiMl j»roj)er. to engage in the 
ordination exercises. 

Rev. M. V. Hraman 1>. \K was clioscn Mndcraloi-. and 
Rev. M. S. ILjward, Scribe. 

Prayer was offered liy the Moderator. Tlio following 
churclies were re}>resented in the Council : 

First Congrr'gational Chiircb in noxlnid. 
Rev. S. D. Gammkll, Pastor. 

Urothcr T>\Nn:L Oocld. DclcLratc 

South Cougrcgational Churth in Pcalnxly, 
Rev. W. M. IJARnoi'R, Pastor. 
Hrother A. P. Phillips. Delegate. 

First Congregational Church in N«»itli IJridLrewnter, 
Rev. H. A. Stevfns, Pastor. 
Ibnth.r .1. W. Ki\»;ma\. helt-ah'. 



40 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Congregational Church in Wilmington, 
Rev. S. H. ToLMAN, Pastor. 

First Trinitarian Congregational Church, Medforcl, 
l^ev. J. T. McCoLLOM, Pastor. 

Congregational Church in Topsfield, 
Rev. A. McLouD, Pastor. 
Brother. B. P. Adams, Delegate. 

Congregational Church in Bradford, 
Rev. J. D. Kingsbury, Pastor. 
Brother Laberton Johnson, Delegate. 

Congregational Church in Rowley, 
Rev. John Pike, D. D., Pastor. 
Brother Greenleaf Hazen, Delegate. 

West Congregational Church in Haverhill, 

Rev. E. D. Allen, Pastor. 

Deacon Daniel Webster, Delegate. 

North Congregational Church in Newburyport, 
Rev. W. A. McGiNLEY, Pastor. 

Congregational Church in Groveland, 
Rev. M, S. Howard, Pastor. 
Bro. CD. Page, Delegate. 

Also, 

Rev. M. P. Braman, D. D. 

Rev. W. S. CoGGiN. 

Rev. L. WiTHINGTON, D. D. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 41 

The actions of the Church and Parish extending a call to 
Mr. D. D. Marsh, together with his reply of acceptance 
having been presented and voted satisfactory, and also 
evidence of his church membership and licensure, the 
candidate presented a written statement of his Theological 
views. 

An extended and thorough examination was then con- 
ducted by the Moderator and furtlier continued by other 
members of the Council. After the Candidate had given 
his reasons for entering the ministry and his personal religious 
experience, the Council voted to be by themselves. The 
Council in secret session voted without dissent that we 
proceed to the ordination services. The following order of 
exercises was adopted : 



VOLUNTARY AND CHANT. 



INVOCATION AND READING OF THE SCRIPTURES, 
Rev. W. a. McGinley. 



PRAYER, 



IIVMN. 

Fatiikk of Mercies, in 'I'liy House 
Smile oil our hoina^'e and our vows; 
While with a ;:r:itetiil heart, we share; 
The»e phdLM-s of our Saviour's cai-e. 

Th(i Sa\it>ur, ^\ hen to Ih-a\iii he ruhe 
In splendid Iriuniph o'er hi^ foes, 
Scattered his ;:ills on men lielow. 
And wjijc his royal hounlii> Mow. 

lli'iice ^l»run;r the apostle's h(>nor( d name. 
Sacred heyond heroic fanH-; 
Hence dictates the i)ro|)hL'tic «uge, 
And ht'ucc the iivangclic l»agt'. 



42 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



In lower forms, to bless our eyes 
Pastors from hence and teachers rise; 
Who, though with feeble rays they shine, 
Still gild a long — extended line. 

From Christ their varied gifts derive, 
And fed by Christ, their graces live : 
While, guarded by his potent hand, 
'Midst all the rage of hell they stand. 

So shall the bright succession run. 
Through the last courses of the sun: 
While unborn churches, by their care, 
Shall rise and flourish, large and fair. 

Jesus, our Lord, their hearts shall know, 
The spring whence all these blessings flow; 
Pastors and people shout his praise 
Through the long round of endless days. 



SERMON, 
Rev. W. M. Barbour. 



ORDAINING PRAYER. 



Rev. J. Pike, D. D. 



ANTHEM. 



CHARGE TO THE PASTOR, 
Rev. S. Tolman. 



RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP, 
Rev. J. D. Kingsbury. 



HYMN. 

We bid thee welcome in the name 
Of Jesus, our exalted head; 

Come as a servant; so He came. 
And we receive thee, in His stead. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 48 



Come as a shepherd; guard and keep 
This fold from hell, and earth, and sin; 

Xourifeh the lambs, and feed the s-heep, 
The wounded heal, the lost bring in. 

Come as an angel, hence to guide 
A band of i)ilgrims on their wa}-; 

That, safely walking at th}- side, 

We fail not, faint not, turn nor stray. 

Come as a teacher sent from God, 

Charged his whole counsel to declare; 

Lift o'er our ranks the proi)liet\s rod, 
While we uphold thy hands with prayer. 

Come as a messenger of peace. 

Filled with the sj)irit, lired with love; 

Live to behold our huge increase, 
And die to meet us all above. 



ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE, 
Rev. J. T. McCollum. 



PRAYER, 
Rev. Dr. AVithingtox. 



DOXOLOGY. 



BENEDICTION BY PASTOR, 



44 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



THE INCARNATION. 



By the Rev. Willia^i Macleod Barbour, 
pastor of the south church, peabody. 



"Behold a virgin shail bring forth a son, and they shall 

call his name Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, 'God with 
us.' "—Matt. 1 : 23. 




IKE every other manifestation of God, his 
incarnation, when first announced, is deemed 
incredible. 



^ Yet, like every other manifestation of the Deity, 

it is most gladly welcomed, when its reality and intention 
become apparent. Tell for the first time, that God is 
everywhere, and it is not credited. But, show that he 
cannot be bounded, nor excluded ; that his presence is the 
light and life of creation ; and that there is no greater 
blessing than an ever present love, and who would have 
God absent, if he could. 

To bespeak your attention to this matter, let me say that 
there is no one present whom it does not deeply concern. 
If God has taken to himself a true body, and a reasonable 
soul, and dwelt among us, every one dwelling in a body 
has an interest in that fact. And, mysterious though the 
fact be — yet not more mysterious than any other fact about 
God — it is one of the most blessed things that can be 
spoken about, or thought upon. I desire to show some of 



THE FEaBODY memorial CHL'RCH. 4o 

the plainest and most i>raetioal of the benetits rominir to ii> 
in rho ].iir]i ..f Tnmiannr'l — Ooil Avirli ii>. 

And that I may have the company r»t* my hearers to the 
close, the promise is held out that all speculative thinking- 
will ]ye put aside. What will task the understandinsr, even, 
will l>e avoided. If mystery is spoken of, it will only be to 
indicate its benefit, and show the wisdom of lettinir it alnne. 

That I may begin with ireneral confidence that this truth 
about God is not a mere doctrine, but a fundamental fact 
of the Christian religion, let me state wliat has already 
happened, to mark it as one of the most credible of religious 
truths. 

Fii*st, mankind have ever had a l^'lief that tlic Sujdrnir 
Being would manifest himself among men. Even now, 
where the true God is unknown, men make figures and 
within them they imagine their God dwells. 

Se».'ondly, we all have an instinctive desire to know li«»\\ 
God would live were he a man. 

Thirdly, we are not led to pray that God would apjM'ar as 
man. Ever since Immaimel said '• He that liath sim'u nn' hatli 
seen the Father," Christendom is content. For one, if 1 
did not believe that God had appeared in Christ, 1 should 
cr}' day and night for him »<• ncmiffNt ])iin>i'ir in ^nnir 
accessible form. 

Another fact which 1 wish to carry into this investigation is 
that the scrijitures abundantly declare that God ha)f nmn- 
ifested himself in Immanucl. '' The word was God, and 
the word was made flesh and dwelt among us — the express 
image of his jx?rson — (Jo<l manifest in llu' flesh. The life 
— the Eternal Life was manifested. Christ a glass into 



46 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

which we look to behold the glory of the Lord. The 
fullness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily. Christ the 
power of God — ^the image of the Invisible God." 

Drawing near the text with these four facts, namely, The 
common belief of the race ; the propriety of it found in 
our irresistible longings ; the fact that these longings are 
satisfied in Christendom ; and that the Bible declares that 
Immanuel has really lived, let us consider a few of the 
plainest, and most practical benefits, coming from the life 
of God in the form of man. 

I. First must stand the benefit of the clearest revelation of 
(rod that man has had. 

As a race, we are out of the fog of abstractions. In 
Immanuel we see the divine image, clear and full. Here is 
more than a message by a prophet ; more than the words 
from Sinai ; more than miracles. Here is the Word made 
flesh dwelling among us. Here is a life, something other 
than matter, something more accessible than spirit. True 
or false since Immanuel' s birth, God has heen more ac- 
cessible to men. The bridge has been built between tlie 
earth and " the excellent glory." " Ye believe in God [the 
spirit] believe also in me [the man] . He that hath seen 
me hath seen the Father." Our knowledge of what God is 
is no longer vague and shadowy, it is complete in Christ. 

II. Further i)i this direction^ men knoiv the divine char- 
acter as it coidd not otherwise he hnoivn. In Immanuel the 
divine mind is known and read. God's heart is felt. 
Immanuel wept. He came that we might know his 
thoughts, and feel his sympathy, that we might even know 
the nature of his love. Since he lived among us, we know 
that love in him is not something other than love in us, only 
in so far as the greatness of his affection exceeds ours. 



THE PEABODT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 4» 

That he feels as we do. rather that he has made us to feel 
as He does, Immanuel has led us to kuow : for iu him our 
God exchanged thought au<l feeling with us. At any rate, 
since Christ's day, it in easier for man to love God, to teach 
of God, to obey God. True or false the reason of it, the 
historical fact there is no denying. Has not the knowledge 
of the living and true God been more widely spread by 
Christ and Christians than by any other agency? To 
(juestion the fact, is fatal to the questioner's sanity, to say 
nothing of his intelligence. 

ni. A)iotht'r benefit of the inearnatioti is the peculiar 
glory that it haa brought V) God. Heaven ])raised him for 
it. Glory in the highest, was sung over Immanuel's l>irth. 
Earth praises him for it as it cannot praise him for creation 
and preservation. Experience affirms that there is not a 
more elevated worshij) rendered on earth, than that in which 
souls rise to God in Christ. He is loved and adored as the 
innneasurable, inaccessible, invisiljle (lod of the ]»hiloso- 
])hers cannot be. He is purely and spiritually worshijjped 
as the gods of the heat lien cannot be. Whoever leads men 
to such a worship, ranks among the first of philantluopists, 
for while he is bringing glory to God, he is doing more for 
the elevation of man, more for the peace and joy of the 
human lu'inf, tli:in ninii liinisclf can cstiiiiatc 

If there has l>een no incarnation what a glory awaits a 
condescending God, what an elevation to aspiring souls. O, 
what love to man W(»uld that be, and what glory to God 
Would it bring, if he Klumlil inrarnatc binisrlf in a person 
like the Imnuinuel of the New TestanK-nt. If this gospel 
be not what it professes to be, namely, a lim- aeeount of the 
doing of this very tllinL^ Mattlirw. ihr ]iui»lican. has here 
by way of romance or imposture, suggestr-d a '^\nv\ to (lod 
that exceeds any prijposal from heaven itself. 



48 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

IV. But^ I liastem man-ward^ and remark that among the 
many benefits of ImmanueVs life is the assurance that the earth 
he lived on, is yet the Lord's. He came unto his own. 
Rebellion had not depriyed him of his territory. Satan, as 
prince of this world is an usurper. It is Immanuel's land, 
and He is restoring the kingdom of God in it. Every rood of 
it is sacred. Both land and sea by quake and calm gave 
token of allegiance. Mountain and garden he walked in 
as his own. And the earth's ways were his. He was 
born : he took hold of us at the first of life and went all 
our way, up to manhood, down to death. He put a new 
emphasis on the sacredness of a human life. Nothing in 
it now is common or unclean, except what man himself 
defiles. Labor, honorable under the first Adam, is doubly 
honorable under the Second. What is the dignity of a 
Av^orking-man ? Stand ten minutes in a carpenter's s]\op, 
and think of him of Nazareth. A fireside may be a 
sanctuary, — Immanuel rested at one in Bethany. It is 
no disgrace to be poor, — " God with us " was sometimes 
roofless. At a marriage a Christian may enjoy himself. 
Absence from a feast is no mark of sanctity. Keep out of 
sin, and there is nowhere a man cannot go ; nothing he 
may not do ; nothing he need shrink from suflering. It is 
not true, and the Incarnation is our proof, that flesh and 
blood are sinful. This flesh Immanuel wore ; he fed it Avitli 
our food ; he used it for the holiest of purposes ; he 
respected its laws, by resting it in weariness. Therefore, 
the ills and cares of the body may be as holily endured as 
the blessedness of God is enjoyed. Nor is it true that the 
handling of "things rank and gross in nature" is un- 
spiritual or bemeaning. When Immanuel took clay and 
made it ointment, was the act less pure than the act of 
those who sang His advent hymn ? Indeed, it seems as if 
the marring of our common life by human pride, had been 
effaced by the beauty that suffuses all that was touched, and 
trod upon, by God manifest in the flesh. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 49 

And wliat a dignity has the human form in Christian 
eyes. See how it is honored where Christ is known. 
Nothing marks the essential heatlienism of slavery more 
clearly than its branding and nnitilating, as well as Imying 
and selling of human forms. To think of a reverent 
Christian selling the likeness of his Redeemer, is a severe 
tax on the imagination. 

And fhix pn'i<x''>< us near a j/rciifer hcnefit <>f tJu' <-hdh}n<i <>f 
(JhrUt in flcslt. Bij flu's nufs intniifcstea tlmf tlw imrld ints 
not ahundininl on accuunt nf its chfinirter. Sin ih'ovc man 
out of PMen : l)ut the flaming sword, if it kept man liom 
going back, did not kccjt Idcssiug tVom coming forward. 
Man was followed out of tlu^ gai-dcn by liis Maker. 

After messages at sundry linu-s mid in dixci's niainwrs, 
in tlie last days the itowcr of the Highest oNrrsliadowcd tlie 
race, and one born i>f a woman ajqiears on tlic cnilh witli 
tlie love of heaven. (Ireat as is this mysteiy of (Jodliness, 
it is a mystei-y Itoi-dei-cd wilb TiLibt : foi- if (iod l:e n I'nlber, 
wh:it so hkely as that lie will go out after his wandering 
ehildreii. Watch a father at the news of a son's dissipa- 
tion. If tliat son be williin reach, as sure as the pateinal 
heart beats, there will be a inovemeiit to go. He /inti/ send 
a H(*rvant or two belorelimid : but he must go biniself, and 
let forth on bis child that mingling of autlioiity aiul 
tenderness which niak<' up a father's love. 

The supjiosed ineredihility of the incariiat imi cliaiejcs 
places with the iiii-redil»ility uf ihi'ii' iioi heiicj' an iiu-ar- 
natioii, where sin and lln- possibility of a re«'(i\eiy are 
introduced. The pds^ihilily of (lod's inhabiting a h>c;il 
l»')d\ . Ml- of his hecniiiiii'j' l''>> tliaii di\ iiif liy M\ ing a hiinian 
life, are mere lignienls of dilliculty l;efore the fatherlioKd 
of (Iod and the worth of man. lOveii the difhculties ai' a 
metaphysical nature that >eem to furbid such a manifesta- 



50 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

tioii of Grod, will be found more imaginary than real when 
the character of God is taken into account. Since there is 
neither expansion nor contraction of the Infinite, why may 
he not dwell in man ? Does he inhabit the cope of heaven, 
without limitation or derogation to his dignity ? Can we 
conceive of him as dwelling in that work of his hands ? 
Why may he not dwell in a human form — a thing equally 
the work of his hands ? Men become the prey of their 
own narrowness when the impossibility of the incarnation 
interferes with their reception of it. Is it possible ? Can 
God make it possible ? Then, Father as he is, as much as 
in him lies, as near to man as he can come, luill he come ? 

Recur to the supposition of a dissipated son. If the lost 
youth is in a beggar's retreat, would not a father put on a 
beggar's rags to reach him. Would that clothing of himself 
affect his essential wealth or dignity ? Even were the son 
in a robber's cave, might not he put on a robber's dress, still 
being the pure and loving father. Should we not doubt the 
fatherhood of him who took no such method to get speech 
and touch of his wandering boy. "If ye then, being evil, 
know how to give the good gift of your presence to reclaim, 
how much more shall your Heavenly Father ?" And what 
is the history of Eedemption but one continued proof that 
God is thus among us of a truth. Lost, yet» loved and 
longed for, — lost, yet sought and found — what else has been 
the world's joy since Immanuel's birth. 

YI. But linhed to this is another benefit. By this means 
the best loay was taken of redeeming men from sin. 

It is one thing to undertake a matter, another to manifest 
the wisdom of the undertaking. The clothing of the Word 
in flesh makes the wisdom of redemption lustrous. This 
appears when we find Avhat sin is, and what it does. 
Sin is the breaking of God's law. That law is love. The 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 51 

keeping uf it Ijiings the diviiR* love intu the human heart, 
and gives an ontlet tu the human luve into the divine heart. 
To break the law ends this eonneetion : enjoyment of 
God\s love ceases: the human heart has no rest I'ur its luve. 

In scriptural phrase the sinjier is dead, spiritually dead, 
— light, warmth, utterance, motion of sonl are no more. 
Xo inhalation of the divine love strengthens, purifies, and 
impels that exhalation of holy love which is most appro- 
priately called life. Anil there the sinner lies, with mind 
and body active as ever, it may be, but ** dead " in the 
spirit, sundered from (Jod. To redeem a man from this 
terrible .state, the lirst thing needed is to shew him tlial he 
is wronging himself in not kee})ing the law, he is losing his 
love to (rod and missing Hod's love to him. 'J'his must lie 
explained. The lieauty, and litness. an<l majesty of the 
law must be displayed. Since example is the highest style 
of teaching, the most elfective way U) teach the law's 
wisdom, i^eauty and i)ower was to shew it in action, — shew 
the inward serenity of the law-keei)er, the moral majesty of 
his outward life-, the nearness to (lod that atten<ls likeness 
to Ood. 

i]ut who will shew man such a life V All mankind have 
lost eommimion with (lod. ll'lJod himsell* dues it n(jt, this 
means (»f r«'deinptit»ii raiiiiot be einployed. And sit (Jod 
spake, lie* sjK'eilieil the law: he enfori-ed it, i»y sti'iking 
penalties, he adorned it by sublime rewards, as a erowniii'j- 
etTort he clothed hini^eH" in llesh ami arted it nut. Ini- 
manuel's life and death eiied unto man: "See how it i^ 
d(jne, — see what it is to live, — here is joy in s<»rrow — pea«'e 
in strife — triumph in <leatb."' To (lod it said; *• 1 ba\c 
Ldorifie(l thee in gloiijying thy law upon the earth : I lia\e 
taken down thy life and livd o •...,...,,, .... n." 

lint, tu retleem a man. mure llian sliewing is reipiired. 



52 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Men need a motive to begin the new life. Deceiyecl in 
regard to God's end in deraanding obedience, tliey are 
blinded as to his character. The God of this world hath 
led them to believe that the Lawgiver is a taskmaster. 
What will dispel their delusion. What is best fitted to 
convince them of God's love. As man is made, there is 
nothing like a sacrifice in his behalf, for convincing him 
that he is loved. Respecting His own creation in man, 
God prepares himself to suffer in man's behalf. " He sells 
his heaven to buy the soul." Behold what manner of 
love is this ! God so loved the world. He gave His Son. 
By so pressing His love on man, God moves man's love 
toward Himself. " We love Him because he first loved us." 
When that is done, man is in a redeemed state, he 
breathes the breath of a delivered life, is " a new creature," 
lives from a new principle, is "born again," — what you 
Avill, he is alive to God. 

But, redemption calls for even more than this. Precept 
and example may make the way of life clear, motive may 
be presented, and yet all the soul's detentions in death not 
removed. Man has gone publicly away from God, and is 
under an open condemnation. Public guilt, as well as 
condemnation holds him fast. How shall he go openly, 
and honorably, and purely back to God ? The question is 
the problem of the ages. If it has not been answered by 
Immanuel's public, honorable, stainless sacrifice in his 
room and stead, it never will be answered. He comes 
publicly after man. A guard of angels follow him to the 
earth. The heavens themselves point out his birth place 
to mankind. Born of a woman, born under the law, 
Immanuel openly kept that law. Who convinced him of 
sin ? In the nature under sentence of death for breaking 
the law, without deserving death, he died. He became a 
sin-offering for us. While yet sinners he died for us. He 
suffered, the just for the unjust. Wearing as Immanuel a 



THK PEAHODV MEMORIAL CHL'RCH. OO 

nature iiiliuitoly more diguitieil, and intrinsically wortli 
more to the Divine government than all the la\v breakers 
merged into one. His death redeems them from the eurse 
of the law — that is, its o})en, honorable, condemnation, — he 
being made the subject of its curse for them. So then 
Christ serves the same end as the law for righteousness to 
them who believe. By him all that believe are justified 
from all things from which they could not be justilied l)y 
ihe law of Moses. Fact or fancy, the human imagination, 
nor I may say the divine, has not pi'opounded a sclu'me 
that goes l>ey(»nd this in fitness to redeem. 

y \\. But there IS somtthing more iconder/ul than these 
t/it/(t/s in the incarnation. By it redemption is applied in 
ihe best possible icay. AVhat does it matter what is done 
for a man, if nothing is done in him. What is the 
love of (i(jd to the heart closed against it. Is it not 
as jxjwerless to l>eget love as though God loved not. And 
what to him who huirs the chains of sin is the lil)ert\ of 
Christ. Who will apply the redem[)ti(Mi to siicli ? Since 
men freely sin, tliey nuist l)e freely nnnh' holy. Can they 
l»e more appropriately led to holiness thaA liy becoming 
«lispose(l to consider thr truth aliout tliemselves and ( lod. 
And who is l)etter fitteil to disj)ose them to this than one 
who is at once (Jod and Man? Aiithoi'ity and persuasion 
ai'c both i-c(piii-(Ml. an<l tlicy meet in Innnamicl. Arc not 
his words weighty as (lod's'r Aic not liis tones tender as 
man's? Wi^ is the arm of the Loid, ItiU be (b"aws with the 
cor(ls of a man. lie (bsclo.ses thi' daikiM'.ss of sin, Imt 
shin(*s as liie light of tlic world, lb- shuts up the old dead 
way of woi-ks: biU is Himself the new and li\ingwayof 
lailh. To men in falsity and dealii.lie is tlie truth and the 
life. I*]\en so, — a just (bxl and a Sa\iour. 

And in this style liis «^<>>|ie| is to lie preached. It i> tn !"• 
sj)oi;en liy man. aitleil by tlie power of (J«id. It nuist he 



54 " THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

full of God, full of man: man reaching up to God; God 
reaching down to man. " Immanuel is the mystic ladder," 
says Hall, " by Avhich we climb to the abode of the 
Eternal," and may we not add, down which the Eternal steps 
to man. Every word of Christ, with which man is plied, has 
a divinity in it. " Come unto me * * * I ^iH giye you, 
rest." Who but God could say this to all the weary and 
heavy laden ? " Bruised reed He will not break you" — of 
whom could that be said but of one Avho has the power to 
break, yet uses it to bind. 

" Strong Son of God. Immortal Love." 

Tennyson never put so much truth into an epithet, as 
when he gave Christ that name in the opening line of the 
grandest poem of the century. 

How, and by what means can a redemption from one state, 
and an elevation into another, be more effectually applied ? 
Message, example, sacrifice and personal persuasion are all 
employed for the one end. Take into consideration the 
freedom of man, the nature of sin, and the holiness of 
God, and how else than by interposition like to Christ's, a 
redemption with so many demands, is to be consummated, 
it is diJOQcult to imagine. If redemption is not effected 
after such efforts, we understand the sincerity of the divine 
challenge: — " What more could I have done." 

A thousand other benefits beseech us for a hearing, but 
they must be denied. We must now pause, that we may 
reflect upon those we have presented. A simple recapit- 
ulation will prepare the way for the closing reflections. 
Among the plain and practical benefits of the clothing of 
the Godhead in humanity are the following: — The 
Divine Being is more clearly appreliended than by 
any other way ; His character is better understood ; His 



THE PKAliODV MEMORIAL CHURCH. OO 

glory is more Aviilt'ly ditViiscil ; ^[aii is assured that the 
earth ami its ways are such as rj:>d can own and use ; thai 
he is not ahaudoned because he is a sinner: that there is 
a perfect redemption from sin wrouirht out : and that it is 
apphed in tlie hest possible way. 

RKFLKCnoNS. 

1. In view of Christ ('(uning* in tlic licsli. a redemption 
from sin l»y the sinner himself, is phiinly inipitssililc An 
arrival from heaven assumes tluit there is no help from the 
earth. It would not ])e wise to do for man what he could 
<lo for liimsclf. And we fail to see any honor to divinity in 
undertakinii' l'^>\' Innnanity what its united j);)wers miLi'lit 
liave elfeeted. And this is the reasonin<!" of tlic scriptures : 
•* If there had been a law which could have uivcn life. 
Ncriiy riLihteousness would have l»ccn l»y that law." l>ut, 
— the lo;^ic is resistless — if righteousness conu' by the 
law — any law — law (jf self restraint, law of cultivated 
mind, law of well de\-eli>]ie(l \ iilues — 1 lien, ( 'brisl is dead 
in vain. '• Christ came into the woi-ld t»» save sinm^rs." 
••There is no other name given under heaven among nir/i, 
whereby we can l»e sa\-ed."" liinidreiU (tf su.-li scriplures 
(•(udd be (dustcreil into ciuislellation?^, glorilyinii- by their 
iniiteil ji.jlii tbi< un!i(hMiiN iiMiiie — 1 M M \ \" I " 1 :i .. 

hnmanuel — (i.cl wiili us, — an awlul name to one set on 
saving himself. Why was such a being born ".' *• Foras- 
nmch as tlie children were |»ai-takers of lle>li and blood, he 
also hims(df tooU pari of l!ie same. * * ' thai lu' 
nnght deliver th«'m." And wliy did be i»ear ibat name "." 
IJecause salvation is of ihe L .id. Decide me there is no 
Saviour. And am 1 1 lying to >a\e my>ell' while lunnaiinel 
is near u ith /lis sal \ al ion ? 

■2. Ill our iud'jiiieiit . this name, and nature of the 



5Q THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Saviour, impresses very powerMly tlie scripture doctrine 
of the necessity of redemption in the present life. By 
Christ's assumption of our nature, tliere is a grandeur 
given to the life of man, such as is given it by nothing 
else. Its deep solemnities come into view, before Im- 
manuel. Think of it. God is with us, to do a work. 
Here, He Avas born : Here, he " finished " what He 
began. Of an assumption of another nature, in an other 
state, we do not read, except to deny. I beg attention to 
this quotation, in view of the doctrine discussed : " He 
took not on him the nature of angels ; but of the seed of 
Abraham." He did so '^ tliat he might taste death for 
every 7na?i ;" and in connection with these statements, the 
question is put, '' How shall we escape, if we neglect so 
great salvation ?" The reason I press it, is because it is 
supposed by some that this life is no deciding place, that 
it is all the same whether we know Christ as a Saviour here 
or not, he will redeem out of the flesh as well as in it. If 
so, my question is. How came He in the flesh at all ? And 
what did he "finish" by his death? And what is the 
meaning of this denial that he takes on other natures as a 
Redeemer ? And why shoukl we be annoyed with the 
solemn challenge " How shall we escape if we neglect this 
great redemption ?" If it is all the same for the sinner in 
the long run, where is the benevolence of assaulting him 
vrith these tremendous challenges ? And what is the 
intention of Immanuel in hanging around his gospel the 
solemnities of destiny, making the impression that the life 
that now is settles something of eternal import ? 

I press the thought while his lofty rank, and holy 
character, and tender spirit are so manifest. Dying man, 
lay no such flattering unction to thy soul, as that it is a 
'^ day of salvation," and an " accepted time," when this 
human life is over. This is the nature Christ put on, to 
save thee in, if, in it, thou art not redeemed, then '' God 



THE PEATiODV MKMUKIAL (.'HIKCH. Ol 

with US " is not tliy Rodeomer. And tliat by present neglect 
he was not the Redeemer of some whose flesh he wore, see 
the })r(jof in those tears which tell on Olivet, and hear 
His deep siuli : ** The day of tliy visitation thou didst not 
acknowledire — the thinus of thy })eace are hid from thine 
eyes.'' That was needless distress, if in another life he was 
to save more easily tlian in this. And so were Paid's tears 
needless, and so is every solemn feeling- needless. Every 
thing grand and deci<Ung ahout man, every tiling im]»ressive 
ah<jut his departure to the future state — every tliiuLi" mo- 
mentous about Christ — His woiks of life, and dcatii, and 
loss, and salvati(^n, are *• sound and fury siuiiifyiiig 
nothing," if there is no dangei-, nor loss, unv death, nor 
anything irremediable iVom which he deli\(Ms l>y becoming 
man. Remember his name, •• (Jod with us" — r^-ad bis gospel, 
heed its warnings, mark its earnestness, and then say, as 
in llis presence, that it is of little accoinii wlieiher he is 
sa\iiej in this life or not. 

'). As we sit imder the shadow of this great name, there 
comes to us an encoui-agement to any mfN to apply to 
Christ tor salvation. He hecame man. He N\as niaih' 
liesh. He took pai-l of it. and in it. Then, as a iienevo- 
lent inan, he can he approaehe(|, and appeah'<l ii.. Ills 
understandinii" is clear toui-liiieja human want. Tlieie i> a 
new ein|»hasis upon the woi^ls: **ll"any nmn thirst let him 
come to nie." 'i'o he a huinaii heing is a jtlea helor*' 
Innnaniiel. And no matter how deep the Lniill. the iireat- 
iie>> o|" the fo|-giveness will be nwasined, iioi hy a pari of 
ihe {{('(leemer, hut hy his one peixmalily as Immanurl. 
In this lies a sti-oiig im-entiM- to «jd to him. loi- anylhinn. in 
any amoinit, for any leir^ih of lime, hccaiise he is noi (loij 
(!/('/ us, Imt Cod ivif/t us. He i> one per>on, with our 
jfUipose, and all j)ower. To a>k Him lor any thing i> lo 
luuior him. And the giealer the leipioi, |]ii> greater ihe 
luuior ; fiu- to this end lie was horn, thai I !•• miL^ht hestnw all 
thai man can iecci\»- ol' ( 'uu\. 



58 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

4 Another reflection heseeclies a place in our regard. 
Notwithstanding its mystery there is an animating thought 
to the Christian that Christ weai^s our nature and loill wear 
it forever. 

There is great mystery, eyen to the most spmtual minds, 
about Christ in our nature, but it is a blessed mystery, — it 
is anything but a depressing darkness. The mystery of 
God manifest in the flesh, animates faith. Hence it is that 
the spiritual mind neyer tires of Clirist. Why are His 
thoughts so deep, so fresh, powerful, and yet so human? 
Why did the Meek and Lowly keep himself so prominent ? 
Keep the Cliristian busy Ayith the fact that Christ wears a 
human nature while he is wielding diyine power, and faith 
in Christ can neyer falter ; for His human words animate, 
and his diyine power sustains. To know all would be to 
lose all. 

And the loye manifested for man, simply as man, in the 
style of humanity Christ assumed, keeps eyery grateful 
emotion aglow. He came not a Ceesar or a Newton, — 
many a christian had been discouraged if he had. God is 
not said to be power, nor wealth, nor wisdom, but loye. It 
is not the warrior, nor the adyenturer, nor the scholar, that 
shews the highest style of man. It is the meek and lowly 
loying man, such a man as any one can copy, that is 
the diyine choice of nature in which to be declared. The 
poet, therefore, has more than mere sentiment in his line, 

"The Christian is the highest style of man,"' 

since the Christian's model was the style chosen of God. 

And blessed is the incarnation of Christ to the fearful in 
heart. Trials confront men — Death is feared ; — but the 
one clothed in our flesh goes all the way with a sinking 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 59 

spirit. He lias l»een tliroiiiih the valley. Christ can do 
for every man, what no mere man can possibly do for his 
fellow, for man dies Init onee, and dies for himself; Imt 
Christ having died, lives again, and aids when other friends 
are powerless. It becomes the follower of Immanuel to 
smg as he advances into death,— 

"I will not view with dread, 
That shadowy vale unknown, 
I see a liirht within it ^hetl 
I shall not die alone I"' 

And as to the hope enkindled by the wearing oi" our 
nature forever, who can give it sco})e. Innnanuel now, he 
is Immanuel ever, — the Head of Humanity in heaven, as 
He was the Root of it on the earth. The scri})tures are full 
of this. He ascended as a man — Steplien called him 
by his human name — Ife walked among the candlesticks 
clothed like a man — we shall be like Him. He has 
pledged himself to befriend through the oftices of humanity. 
He is to redeem the body ; confess his people before God 
and angels : feast with them ; lead them ; connt them his 
brethren. Wiiere I am, there ye shall be ; as I am, so shall 
ye be : wliile I am, so long shall ye be. These sayings are 
yet to l»e fuliilled. The h<»pe of them all is in Immanuel — 
Ciod with us. A Idessed hope, thus to !»(,' ever willi the 
Lord, thus to ever have the Lord with us. 

It is impossii)le to leave this truth on such an occasion 
as the present, without advertiuL'" to him on whom hands 
are al)out to Itc' laid, to set him apart loi- ijie deelaiation 
of it. 

(\)ncei'ning tliis gospel, of an incaiiiaie Sa\inur, lookiiej- 
at it in its magnitutle and beauty, as propounding a mnde ni" 
salvation, a ithilosoither said, '' Had an iidialiitant IVom 



60 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

another world told it to him, as it is told in the New 
Testament, he would gladly have given his life for the 
simple thought of Immanuel's redeeming life and death, 
and that irrespective of its truth or falsehood." A sound 
philosopher was he who thus spoke. It is a message 
worthy a life to hear of, worth many a life to bear. 
To lift men into this high conception, to make the fact 
theirs, to set its good news in theu^ affections, so as to 
purify and elevate their lives, this is our brother's mission. 
Thrilling is his opportunity. Wherever he meets the 
human form, he is to say, " Come, man born of a woman, 
what think you of Immanuel ? What think you of yourself 
as his fellow mortal ? AYhat think you of his sacrifice to 
make you his fellow immortal ?" 

Go, then, servant of Immanuel, and preach that knowl- 
edge of Him which is eternal life. Tell of His Godhead, 
but forget not His Humanity. Live for, and labor for 
Immanuel's glory, winning by the best of work, your right 
to the best of rest. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 01 



CHARGE TO THE PASTOR. 



By Rev. S. Jl. Tolmax. NVilmixctux, Mass. 



^t\tH!^J' ^ the cliildreii of Israel drew near the land 
^^ JvM^^icA '^^ Canaan, the Lord pave connnandnient 



^^7^,^*^ that messengers be sent lorward to examine 
'i^\y<^ tlie countrv. '• Get von up," said Mos 



J^'^/<5^ tlie country. '• Get you up," said Moses, '' this 
V^ way soutliward, and go up into tlie mountain, 
and se«' the land, whore it is, and the ])eopl(' that dwelleth 
therein, whether they he strong or weak, lew or many, and 
what the land is, that they dwell in, whether it l)e good or 
had: and what cities they he that they dwell in, whether in 
tents or in strong liolds." '' And be ye of good courage,'' 
very considerately, added their leader, " and l>i-ing of the 
fiTiit of the land." Accordingly chosen men of their 
number set out. and " ascended l>y llic soiitli. and came 
unto Hebron. And tln'y returne(l from searching of the 
land after forty days, and hi-ought hack word to Moses and 
Aaron, and unto all the cougi-egalicui, ami slie\ve(| them the 
fi'uit of the land." 

Such. m\- dear lu'ollier, I pref.M- lo i-e'_;;ii-(| ihe l-el:i1i()li 

which 1 sustain to you in peilormin'_i- the p;irt assigned me 
in these services. Let some Moses, some inspii-ed ajiostle, 
some one (jf these ap^ed and Imnoied ser\aiiis oi' the lioi-d 
.Jesus, or still better our 'ji<at Jjoader on high, chai-ge you 
with solenm emphasis, ;miiI llie vttiee of nuthority, '* to take 
heed to thyself, imd tin- miiii>ti\. uliieh ilmii h;i>i ihis da\ 
received of the Lord, that thou lullill il." ijut h-t not oiu' 



62 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

who has preceded you in the work by only a few brief 
years, assume such a position, or arrogate to himself so 
much wisdom. Rather let me speak of what my own heart 
has felt, of the responsibilities seen no longer afar off. The 
things which have appeared more and more desirable, 
and which I doubt not the most prolonged service in the 
ministry only leads one to regard as possessing an im- 
portance transcendently superior to everything else. I 
would thus bring back some word to my brother as to what 
the land is, whether it be fat or lean, what the enemies that 
are to be met there, whether they be strong or weak, few or 
many, what the cities they dwell in, — and thus point out 
how you may the better gird yourself for the conflict. 

Nor shall this report of the land be for your dis- 
couragement ; for though there be intimations of grave 
responsibilities, arduous undertakings, '' the sons of Anek," 
the Amorites and the Amalekites that dwell in the 
mountains, the Canaanites that dwell by the sea, and by 
the coast of Jordan," yet I trust you will not overlook the 
'' clusters of grapes brought from the banks of Eschol, 
too heavy for one to carry alone, the pomegranites and the 
figs," which shall lead you to exclaim with us, " Surely it 
is a land which floweth with milk and honey, and this is 
the fruit of it." 

1. And now, my dear brother, all ready as you are to 
go up and possess this land, if you would find it thus 
fruitful in blessing to your own soul, and the souls of others, 
you will not fail to make the prayerful study of your 
Guidehook^ the Holy Scriptures, the increasing delight of 
your life. 

Not that other books are not to be studied, other depart- 
ments entered, and their treasures gathered in, but all these 
will be held subordinate and tributary to the greater and 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. bo 

richer study of God's revealed Word. In his ** J)yiii<r 
Thoughts" writes Richard l>axter, who has l>eeii most 
appropriately styled '-a veteran in the sciences" and whose 
one liundred and sixfi,'-eiijht jjublishcd volumes disjday an 
extent and dcj)t]i of learning- truly wonderful : '' I have 
read almost all the physics and metaphysics 1 could hear 
of, — I have wasted nnich of. my time amonir loads of 
historians, chronolo<rers and antiquaries. I despise none of 
their learnin«». All truth is useful. But if I have no other 
knowledge than these, what were my understanding worth ? 
What a dreaming dotard should I he I How loath should 
I he to take such sauce for my food, and such recreations 
for my Itiisincss !" 

And tliis study of the Scriptures will he more and more 
direct and iu(h'pciidciit. the Ijringing of ycuu- own soul into 
innnejliute contact with the inspin^l Word. The Bilile will 
come to have an interest of its own, such as the student in 
tlie earlier stages of his course hardly dreamed of. Then, 
commentaries and tlieological lectures, and finely wrought 
systems of divinity, and the most heautiful metaphysical 
nmchinery, all use!"id and necessary, unconsciously attracted 
to themselves the attention whicli it was designeil should 
l>c turned through them the more fully and imderstandingly 
UjKju the llil.le itself. The scaHolding was so heavy and 
elal)orate that ii almost hid the huilding. Hut now that 
these timhers and >uppoiis are l)eing taken down, and the 
temj)le stands forth in all its beauty and synnnetry and 
nmgiiificence, you wonder that you have not so seen it 

lier.'.re. 

So coming to the study of this Blessed N'olume more and 
more on your own account, impcdled hy the necessities and 
yearnings of your own soul, such as never could have arisen 
at an earlier period, you discover that you are close to the 
great Fountain it>«'ir. and y«.u drink of its pui-e waters with 



64 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

inexpressible delight. " Why have I not seen these excel- 
lences, these beauties before.;' von ask. What language, 
what sublimity, and yet what simplicity I What views of 
christian doctrine, how plain, how consistent, how con- 
^-incing ! Let me, henceforth, you say, study little else but 
the Bible. 

And the result is, your sermons begin to mean something 
and effect something. They are baptized in a new element. 
There is a freshness and vigor, and reach and depth, and 
yet sweetness and simplicity, which makes your preaching 
a good deal like Christ's. And just so your praying and 
your visiting. — your whole life, as a minister among your 
people. That intense and growing interest in the direct, 
prayerful study of the Bible will clothe you with much of 
the spirit of David and Paul, and Isaiah and John. 

2. Again, let me remind you of the importance of 
maintaining daily , personal communion ivith Christ asijour 
Leader. This is indispensable for the private christian.; 
why should it not be equally so for the man of God ? In 
the mature christian, the christian most useful, most happy, 
most ripe for heaven, this is the distinguishing character- 
istic. 

I have thought that clergymen, and especially young 
clergymen, are under peculiar temptations to undervalue the 
necessity of this personal, spiritual fellowship with Christ, 
as the highest source of their strength and success in 
the ministry. It seems too simple, too commonplace. 
Unconsciously perhaps, it comes to l)e regarded as of 
subordinate importance as compared with the learning and 
eloquence and varied gifts sought after in preparation for 
this work. But Paul thought not so, when he exclaimed, 
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth 
me." Paul gained power for the great spiritual results at 



THK PKAlioDV MKMOHIAL ( Hl'KCH. •»,) 

which he was aiming', V)v maiiitaininir ever a life hid with 
Christ in God. And must it not he. that hy hringing our 
souls into sympathy with our Divine Leader, we become 
partakers of the same s}»irit which animated him ? Then 
let this become a hal>it of mind with us, let this leaning 
upon Christ, this application in faith and ])rayer to him for 
wisdom and strength, this consciousness that he is with us 
in very deed and truth, according to his promise, and 
that we are with him, — let all this l)e an abiding state, a 
growing experience, and there will he a power in uur lives, 
our prayers and our preadiing, whieli men cannot uainsay 
or resist. 

I am convinced, my brother, that we need, not less 
learning, less research, less cogency of argument, less 
intellectual preparation ; but superadded to all these, in- 
spiring and enriching them, that energizing influence, that 
mighty, mysterious, etliciency, which Christ alone can 
imj)art, throuirh his own presence consciously abiding in us. 

Xothing i.> >o instructive or delightful as to heai' ihese 
older ministers talk on this point. It is the f/rcrtf fhinij with 
fhe/n. Tbe idea «)f personal conuiiunion and sympathy 
with the fiord Jesus Cbrist, as aljove everytliing else in 
bestowing on us an irresistil)le un(.'tion and j)o\ver, — f/tc// 
believe in. It is a glorious i-calily to tlicm. And tbeir 
dying testimony to those who shall l)e so b;ij»jiy as to hear 
their last words will lie, that if they have ]i:id any success 
in their ministry, it has been just in jn-oj»oriioii as tbev 
b'lve been in living sympathy and union with Christ . just 
in pro]M)rtion as they could say with tin' Apostle, " I aiu 
crucified with Christ; nevertheless 1 live: yet not I hut 
Clii'ist livctli ill inc." 

8. I>ut 1 allude to only one other consideration. mikI that 
is, that yon /mikr thr Uinrf, sjiiritmtl t'niifs nf ,i l'<i'-tht'ul 

9 



GG THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

ministry your great and satisfying aiyn. How unwise, how 
contrary to the mjunction of their leader, had any of the 
Israelites, upon entering the land of Canaan, turned aside 
from the direct object for which they had gone thither ! 
Indeed they did after a time forget that they were there to 
subdue the land, and drive out the inhabitants. They 
became interested in other objects, satisfied with other 
successes. 

So in the ministry there are many temptations to 
undervalue the direct, spiritual results aimed at in the 
preaching of the word, and to regard those who are 
laboring in collateral departments as doing more for 
themselves, more for mankind. True, all these opening 
fields of authorship, of scientific research and popular 
influence are important, vastly important. And there are 
those who are called of God to enter them, it may be after 
they have furnished themselves fully and specially for the 
work of the ministry. But unless Jesus Christ, your 
accepted Leader most distinctly bids you, my brother, enter 
any such field, the direct work of the ministry is henceforth 
to be the great and satisfying work of your life. Be not 
disturljed, let me entreat you, by the thought of what 
others are doing in other spheres of usefulness, or by the 
suggestion of what you yourself might do, or might have 
done. Over against all this usefulness in other directions, 
you are permitted to hold up the one great end of the min- 
istry, namely, the building up of Christ's Spiritual Kingdom 
among men ; the edification of the church, which is the 
body of Christ, and the salvation of immortal souls. And 
what fruits of labor anywhere, in Christ's estimation, in the 
the estimation of angels, who rejoice over one sinner that 
repenteth, and in the light whicli the day of judgment shall 
shed on this question, — what fruits of labor any where, I 
repeat, are to be compared in importance to these ? Indeed 
all other usefulness is, in reality, to be valued just in 



THE PEABODY MEM(UnAL CHURCH. I'm 

proportion to its bearing on the ro(lom])tion of tlie soul from 
sin and death. Who can deny, then, that in hihurinu" for 
the triumphs of Jesus in the salvation of sinners tlie faithful 
preacher of the word is standing farther up toward the head 
source of all highest usefulness, all greatest and most 
comprehensive endeavors for the welfare of mankind. The 
poet felt all this when he wrote 

'• Tis not a cause of suiall import, 

Tlio pastor's care deuiands. 
But what niiglit till an aui^er.s heart, 

It filled a Saviour's hands." 

Be more than (Mjntented, thereforcs my ItrotluM-. witli the 
single and direct work on which you this day enter. 
Accustom yourself to feel that you can never outgrow it, or 
make it the stepping stone to something greater or better. 
I am certain that tlio pi-ospcct of siu'li results, as are wont 
to crown the plain and simple ])reaching of the word, and 
the I'aithful watching for souls, i-annot lail henceforth to stir 
all the energies of your miiul and heart. The thought thai 
God sets before you an open door to such harvest fruits all 
along down the coming years of your ministry cannot iail 
to give you the most deliglitfid anticipations and waken you 
to an enthusiasm, a holy aml»ition, like that of the Apostle 
Paul, leailing you to exclaim with him in th<' face of 
whatever other ajjpeals may lie aildressed to you. 

•• 'I'm- <t\i. I iii\<. 1 iM)."" 

'I'lius, ni\ deal- lnotlier, I ha\e gi\('ii you no specilic 
directions or adxiee i-cspccting the vaii(»us details ol" your 
work, the particular inanner in which ynu aic to pi-eacli, (»i- 
the rules bv which vdu are to be govei'iieil in your pasliual 
duties. 

Uiit i iia\-e e-(»iie hack of all this, ami lia\-e snuulit to la\ 



6S THE PEABODY ME3I0PJAL CHURCH. 

before tou tliose great principles, which if adopted will, I 
believe, guide you in all the necessities of your experience, 
and make tou a workman tliat needeth not to be ashamed. 
Most naturally will there grow up out of these principles, 
all that practical wisdom and love, and fidelity, and 
patience and perseverance , which you will need, and which 
will attend you, I doubt not, in the successful prosecution of 
your labors. 

And now the hour, long waited for through years of 
anxious study and preparation, has come ; your heart's 
desire is fulfilled. The prayers of pious parents and 
kindred, some of whom have gone to their reward, are this 
day answered, to the joy of us all. You now enter publicly, 
among this people, upon the highest and most glorious work 
ever committed by heaven to human hands. May the grace 
of God furnish you richly and abundantly for the duties and 
trials, the joys and unspeakable rewards of the ministry of 
reconciliation! "Be thou faithful unto death'' saith the 
Chief Shepherd, ''- and I will give thee a crown of life," 



We are unable to insert here copies of Mr. Kingbmy's 
address in giving the right-hand of fellowship, and Mr. 
McCoUom's address to the people. 

They were never written out, and we are now unable to 
reproduce them, which we very much regret. 

On the 29th January the following letters were addressed 
to Mr. Peabody and his sister by the " Orthodox Memorial 
Church."* 



* On Dec. 15, 1868, the name of the Orthodox Congregational 
Church was chauo-ed to •• Orthodox Memorial Church." 



the peabody memorial church. 69 

letter to mr. peabody. 

Mr. Peabody : — 

Dt'nr Sir: — The members of tlie Orthodox Memo- 
rial Church ami Society to whose trust is given tlie 
church edifice, the memorial of your mother, erected l>y 
yourself and sister in Georgetown, and *' Dedicated to the 
worship of Almighty God " would bring some acknowledg- 
ment of this great beneliictioii And, in acce])ting the trust, 
consecrated to the memory of her wli )se revered name you 
would perpetuate and to that purity of worship l)y her 
recognized, we would renew our tliank otVerings to the 
Father (jf* all who hath so richly Idessed us in tliis youi- 
care. 

Tiie conditions made known in your letter of ()ctol)er 
18, iHfjT, on which is conveyed the use of tliis beautiful 
structure, complete in its rich ada))te(lness to the purposes 
designe<l — in name, meniorative — in consecration, devoted 
strictly to religious and moral purposes, iuvitiiiLi tliosc 
principles and reforms consonant with cluistian \vorsliij», 
yet excluding use for s<'cular puiposes, we gratcfidly accept 
as your happy aiiticipjitiou of our wishes. 

In tlic selection of a pastor, we h:i\e soiiLlilt Diviiu^ 
wisdom, and \\v are assuretl tliat lie wlio is giv(Mi to 
minister unto us, gives full accoril lo tlic discipline, 
j)rinciples and faith recognized by tbe OiIIkmIox Con- 
gregational ebiii-eheH of New England and eoidially accepts 
tbe creed {)[' ibis cburcb. 

I''iirtber i-enici)ibering youi- flesirc, it will be oiir ]ilc;isiire 
to preserve wiib utmost care tbe c()iinn(Mnorati\e laldets, to 
keeji legibb' the inscriptions tbereon and to j)rovide for 
the continueil pc'rfect order and repaii- of the building and 
evcrytbinu' ajtpcitainiiig to (be jti-einiM-s. 



70 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

And may He who has so abundantly blessed you in 
earth's wealth, still more abundantly grant the treasures 
of His Kingdom, and may many redeemed by influences 
within these walls be among your rewards. 



C. F. SPAULDING, 
RICHARD TENNEY, 
and society. ) RICHMOND DOLE. 



Committee of Church 



Georgetown, 29th January, 1869. 

letter to mrs. daniels. 

Mrs. Daniels : — 

Madame: — The enclosed is a copy of reply to your 
brother's communication of October 18, 1867, bearing de- 
sires for, and conditions of transfer of the trust now held 
by the Orthodox Memorial Church in Georgetown. 

Accepting from yourself and brother this munificent gift, 
this edifice, combining the holiness of God's house with the 
sacredness of filial love, the church and society desire to 
acknowledge your individual care, your continued con- 
sideration in completeness of provision, whereby this temple 
has been made so beautiful. They would also add grateful 
expression of your general encouragement, and appreciation 
of your happy conception in gift, which thus honors the 
dead and blesses the living. 



E. F. SPAULDING, 
RICHARD TENNEY, 
and Society. ) RICHMOND DOLE. 



Committee of Church 



Georgetown, 29th January, 1869. 



THE PEABODV MEMORIAL CHURCH. ^l 

Since the urdiuatiini uf the Pastor, tlie space beneath the 
the Memorial Clmrch, lias been divided into convenient 
apartments, and handsomely finished by Mr. Peabody. 

On the 18th of February, the rooms were opened for the 
Annual Festival of the '• Ladies' Benevolent Society" which 
by a vote of the memljers will hereafter be held on that 
dav, in honor of the birtli of our benefactor. 



APPEXDIX. 



^jr^HH Library building, "which has been necessarily 

C alluded to in the foregoing pages, was finished 

"'y^|i.i simultaneously with the Memorial Church ; but, 

circumstances, unforeseen at the time of the laying 

the corner stone, prevented its being opened to the 

pul)lic during the year 1868. 

On the 23d January, 18(39, Mr. Peabody addressed the 
following' letter to the selectmen of the town : 



London, 23d January, 1869. 

To the Inhabitants of the Town of G-eorgetown, Mass. : — 

In accordance with the promise, which I made to you 
in September, 1866, I have caused a building to be erected, 
for the purpose of a Public Library for the benefit of 
yourselves and your successors. 

The building is now completed ; and I take great pleasure 
in presenting it to you, together with about twenty-four 
hundred volumes of standard works, which I had purchased 
in London, and which are now in the hands of the Library 
Committee. I have also placed in the hands of the Finance 
Committee of the Library, the l^alance of the twelve 
thousand dollars, Avhich I originally promised. 

Of this balance, the sum of three thousand dollars shall 



THK PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. • o 

be always kupt invested, and thf iucoiiie thereof applied to 
tlir iiicrriisr of tlio Liln-ary. 

TliL* lemaiiidei- sliall be kept invested, and aeeumidale, 
nntil it shall amount either by itself or in e«>nneetion ^vith 
other donations (if sueh there shall lie) to the sum of not 
less than twenty thousand dollars, when it may be used for 
the erection of such a l)uildin<i" as may then be necessary to 
furnish suital)le aec«>mmodation for the Library. 

The laiildini!' which has been erected is to be absolutely 
the property of the town for the ])urj)ose of a I^ibrary 
Buildinii-. and, s(» Ioiili- as it shall be used for such purpose, 
it may stand on the site it now occupies, on the Memorial 
Church lot in (leoruetown. 

Ill the contingency <jf the erection of a new iniildinir, for 
the Liljrary, it shall be of brick and of the same character 
of workmanship, as the Memorial Church. 

ll" the liiiildiiiLT now erected shijidd at any lime within 
tlu' space' of twenty years from the first instant (1st .Janiuiry, 
li^>^t',) be considered n(jt suffi<-ienl to accommodate the 
Lilu-ary. and the iidiabitants, who resort to it, and tlu' sum 
namecl >;iin,nOO, has aeeiimulated and (»n hand, the voters 
of the town assembled by legal notice, may, by a vote 
of three-foui-ths of such legal voters, fully empower the 
inhaljitanls of tlie town to have the picseni buililinii' sold 
for removal, and a new one of brick as .sialeil. cicctiMl on 
the same site; and no other site shall be ii>rd ibr a Library- 
building lu'lbre the 1st .lamuiry 1H^S1^ aftei- wiiich tinu', tiie 
iidiabitants of tin; lown. by a vote of two-thirds of the legal 
voters, shall act as they think best ibi- the good of tin- 
|)eople of the town. 

If the present edifice is sold ami irmoved. I he proceeds 
In 



74 THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

may be added to the capital on hand, and be considered a 
part of the $20,000 required as herein stated. 

I leave the details of management and regulation to the 
Board of Trustees, who shall be constituted thus : The 
settled or stated minister of each Religious Society in the 
town (including the minister in Byfield parish) shall be 
ex-officio a member. 

The remainder of the Board shall consist of six members, 
who shall be residents of different sections of the town as 
follows : 

Two shall be resident in what are now School Districts, 
numbers One, Two, and Three. Three shall be resident in 
Districts Four and Five, and one shall be a resident in 
Districts Six and Seven; and said Trustees shall be chosen 
annually by the town. 

In addition, to the actual inhabitants of the town of 
Georgetown, scholars from other towns attending any 
High School or Academy within the limits of the town, or 
inhabitants of adjoining towns, who habitually do business 
in Georgetown, may if the Trustees see fit, and under such 
regulations as they shall prescribe, enjoy the privileges of 
the Library. 

The Trustees shall annually prepare and present to the 
town, at the annual town meeting, a statement or report, 
setting forth the condition of the Library and funds. 

I hope sincerely and earnestly, that the Library may 
prove a source of pleasure and improvement to yourselves 
and your children for many generations. 

I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

GEORGE PEABODY. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. <0 

Previously to this letter being presented to the town, the 
shareholders of the Agricultural and Social Library met and 
voted unanimously, to donate their library of one thousand 
and sixteen volumes to the town, on condition that the 
town })resent it to the Georgetown Peabody Library. 

At the annual town Meeting, on the 4th of ^larch, the 
gift was accepted and legally conveyed, in accordance with 
the conditions. 

After the reading of Mr. Peal)ody's letter, six Trustees 
were elected in addition to those designated by himself. 

Rev. D. D. Marsh. 
Rev. Charles Beecher. 
Rev. D. M. Burt. 
George J. Tenney. 
Lsaac Wilson. 
J. P. Jones. 
Charles P. Low. 
Solomon Nelson. 
GoRHAM I). Tenney. 

Resolutions were tlien passed and (ordered to be for- 
warded to Mr. Pcal)0(ly. 

Refiolved, That with the livliest emotions of pleasure we 
receive from George Peabody his letter of gift ))estowing 
upon us a valual)lc library and Lil)rary l)uilding with the 
means to aid in their imju-ovement and perpetuity, and that 
we a(M'ept the proffered gifts on the conditions conferred, 
and for ourselves and our posterity return our most heartfelt 
thanks to tlie generous donor, wlio, wliile persistently 
refusing rank fi'om i*oyalty, by his vast and numerous 
donations, has Ix-comc^ among nun, by letters patent from 
the whole civilized world, woiihy of ilie title of Prinee of 
Givei-s. 



(b THE PEABODY ME3I0RIAL CHURCH. 

Resolved^ That the Library shall "be called the George- 
town Peabodv Library. 

Resolved^ That the clerk enter upon the records of the 
town, the letter of gift from Mr. Peabody. 

Resolved^ That the six trustees to be chosen by the town, 
shall be chosen at the annual town meeting, by written 
ballot, hj a plurality vote. And if at any election of 
trustees, more persons from any trustee disti'ict shall 
receive a plurality of the votes cast, than such district is 
entitled to have trustees, those having the greatest number 
of votes up to the required number shall Ije the trustees 
from such district ; vacancies in the board of trustees 
occasioned by resignation, death or otherwise, may be filled 
by the town at any meeting called for that purpose. 

Resolved^ That School Districts Xos. 1, 2, and 3, shall 
constitute Trustee District Xo. 1. School Districts Xos. 4 
and 5, Trustee District Xo. '1. And School Districts Xos. 
6 and 7. Trustee District Xo. 3. 

Resolved, That the Trustees shall not receive pay for 
their services. 

Resolved^ That the clerk of the town forward to Mr. 
Peabody an attested copy of the foregoing resolutions. 

CHAS. E. JEWETT, Town Clerk. 

At the first meeting of the Trustees, the following officers 
were chosen. 

Rev. D. D. Marsh, President. 
George J. Texney, Treasurer. 
Isaac Wilson, Secretary. 

At a subsequent meeting Mr. 0. B. Tenney was chosen 
Librarian. 



THE PEABODY MEMORIAL CHURCH. » i 

Since the fon'u'niiiLT resolutiijiis were passed, it is to be 
trratetiilly aokiiowleilired that Mr. Pealjody has given ^^ItOOO, 
in addition to his previous gifts, for the benefit of the hbrary. 
And he has also authorized tlie Trustees to l)uikl, at his 
expense, an addition to the lil)rary buikling for a lecture 
liall, wliich will seat three hundred or more persons. 



U 



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